Cross Party Ventures

[Chil1234]

We've got a coalition government and some senior figures from opposition parties like Frank Field leading the way on key projects. In Gordon Brown's time the 'government of all the talents' was not all that successful.

So what's the prognosis for these cross party ventures? Proof that polarised Punch and Judy politics is on the way out and moderated concensus is on the way in? An intelligent use of genuine experts? A cynical move to dilute the blame should things go wrong?

And what do we think of the people that take up on these offers to be part of another party's government? Are they miserable turncoat 'collaborators' (as John Prescott referred to John Hutton)? Enlightened individuals keen to make a difference? Naive idealists destined to be scapegoats?

They can work provided no-one is deluded as to their purpose, has a very defined remit, and knows exactly what is expected of them and what will be done with their work.

It is difficult though. Politics is different to business, and just plopping a businessman into a senior political role is not wise.

Politicians from other parties, on the other hand? They know how politics works, and so will work better.