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Jackie Ashley of The Guardian on the week that saw David Cameron and Nick Clegg form a coalition government.

Jackie Ashley of The Guardian reports on a tumultuous week in politics when hundreds of newly-elected MPs arrived at Westminster after the indecisive result of the general election. But, with a hung parliament, were they in government or opposition?

Negotiations between the main parties ended with David Cameron and Nick Clegg forming a Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition.

For Labour, Gordon Brown bade an emotional farewell to Downing Street and David Miliband was first to declare in the race to become the party's next leader.

In this programme:

* The senior Conservative MP, Michael Fallon, and Labour's Kevin Brennan ask how far coalition government means an end to tribalism in politics

* The Lib Dem historian, Duncan Brack, and the party's former chief executive, Lord Rennard, savour the week when Lib Dems finally reached government

* Two Labour MPs, Mary Creagh and Meg Hillier look forward to the Labour leadership election

* And two newcomers to Westminster who triumphed over Labour - the Lib Dem's Ian Swales, who took Redcar, and the Conservative, Penny Mordaunt, who took Portsmouth North - describe their first week.

Producer: Peter Mulligan.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 15 May 2010 11:00

Chapters

  • Tribalism

    There is a new coalition but how long will it be before the old tribalism re-asserts itself?

    Duration: 06:55

  • Whither traditional Liberalism?

    With 5 fewer MPs, the Liberal Democrats have secured 5 cabinet posts, is this as good as it gets for the Lib Dems?

    Duration: 07:00

  • A New Labour Leader

    So far only David Miliband has said he wants the job, though plenty of others are considering it. Meg Hillier wants a thorough contest, while Mary Creagh as already decided on David Miliband.

    Duration: 06:40

  • New MPs

    New MPS arrived at Westminster at the beginning of the week. Jubilant at their own election but not knowing if they were going to be part of the opposition or the government.

    Duration: 04:19

Broadcast

  • Sat 15 May 2010 11:00

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