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Annmarie Zachariah

Small

AP Comparative Government

19 March 2015

United Kingdom Current Events: Elections Since 2010

The United Kingdom, made up of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, has

had a long history of being a strong player in international affairs and the EU, UN and NATO.

The process of deindustrialization has begun to leave pockets of economic weakness and lasting

social problems within the United Kingdom. More recently, the UK has suffered from a deep

economic slump and high public debt as a result of the 2008 financial crisis, which revealed its

over-reliance on easy credit, domestic consumption and rising house prices. However, the results

of the 2010 election look to leave a promising future for the United Kingdom as Prime Minister

David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg unite their parties in a coalition

government that will provide a strong and stable leadership.

During the general election, the Conservatives won the most seats, but still not enough to

secure an overall Commons majority, which resulted in a hung Parliament. And thus the

coalition was born. After the 2010 election, David Cameron led his party into coalition with the

Lib Dems, making tackling the UK economy's deficit its priority. The US President Barack

Obama was the first of many foreign leaders to congratulate Cameron in a brief phone call. With

the initiation of this new coalition government between the Conservatives and the Liberal

Democrats, the future of the United Kingdom seems to be in for some drastic changes. In a press

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conference, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg acknowledged the fact of “big risks” but continued to

ensure a “bold, reforming government.” Clegg also stated "It's a new kind of government, a

radical, reforming government where it needs to be and a source of reassurance and stability at a

time of great uncertainty in our country too." Both Cameron and Clegg laughed off differences

between their parties- including Cameron apologizing to Clegg for a past description Cameron

made as a joke. Mr. Clegg took into consideration that some Lib Dem voters would have doubts

about the new found coalition, but told them: "I wouldn't have entered into this agreement unless

I was genuinely convinced that it offers a unique opportunity to deliver the kind of changes you

and I believe in." With the election of David Cameron as the new Prime Minister and the

establishment of a new coalition government between the Liberal Democrats and the

Conservatives, the future looks skeptical but could eventually turn out to be great.

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Works Cited

"David Cameron and Nick Clegg Pledge 'united' Coalition." BBC News. BBC, 12 May 2010.

Web. 19 Mar. 2015.

"United Kingdom Country Profile." BBC News. 12 Mar. 2015. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.

"Who's Who: Cameron's Cabinet." BBC News. 15 July 2014. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.