Here's the deal
Stress was laid upon "liberté." Take note of the emphasis placed upon "égalité".
Big question outstanding is whether "fraternité" can be preserved.
Within the UK coalition government, that is. Today David Cameron, Nick Clegg and colleagues .
They are, it seems, united in tackling the deficit, primarily through spending cuts rather than tax increases. For the avoidance of doubt, Vince Cable said he fully backed the chancellor.
But how about the French motto?
It fell to the support acts to spell out the underlying principles. Home Secretary Theresa May talked of restoring liberties. Mr Cable spoke of a commitment to egalitarian fairness: although it was equality of opportunity, not outcome.
And fraternity? As the two sides contentedly coalesced, I found it striking that the prime minister felt the need to stress, at length and in detail, the Tory content of this coalition package.
Reforming government
He felt the need to stress, further, how much more could be done in implementing elements of the Conservative manifesto by a coalition government with a secure majority.
Members of the wicked media at the launch suggested that the two leaders, Cameron and Clegg, now appeared to feel more at ease in each other's company than in the society of their individual parties.
Not at all, replied the PM. He had not started by favouring a coalition but he now believed that it had "the potential to be a great reforming government."
Again, though, he listed the upside for Tories. Strong and stable government, action on the deficit, scrapping the planned hike in NI, action to counter the "dependency culture" of welfare, wholesale education reform (in England).
Plainly, he was protesting rather loudly in the face of discernible grumbling on his back benches.
- including, of course, those changes to benefits rules.
Plus the expected indication that the money demanded by Alex Salmond from the fossil fuel levy will be forthcoming - although it is only under review at this stage.
Public finances
Plus, on the constitution, a promise to implement Calman and a commission to look at the West Lothian Question in the Commons.
On funding for the devolved institutions, there is a nod towards the "concerns" raised by the Holtham Commission - which dealt with the situation in Wales where the Barnett formula has become an object of loathing.
However, it notes further that any change to the system "must await the stabilisation of the public finances".
In other words, it is too painful to contemplate deficit reduction and scrapping Barnett at the same time.
I'm 
Comments
or to comment.