Give peace a chance should be the mantra of the current government, because as each day passes one is made aware that the Coalition is a mix of various factions, some for and most against the current arrangement, with the majority of Conservative and Lib Dems MPs just about tolerating their unholy union.
The Prime Minister and his Deputy have a good working relationship, but make no mistake, it is one of necessity and built around the desire for power. The day will come within this Parliament when forces in both parties will go all out to destroy the Coalition. The Lib Dems, lead by a senior figure like Simon Hughes, will see it as a matter of principle to oppose a new Conservative proposal and the latter will feel that the party can go it alone and win an election outright.
The decision to hold the referendum for electoral reform will force the Conservatives into a devil's pact with Labour, who may now decide to give only lukewarm support for AV and while one would have expected David Cameron to rise above the fray, it does appear he will actively oppose any reforms. It is a scenario that can only lead to rows and festering resentments. Of course Labour could use it as an opportunity to drive a wedge between the Coalition partners, by standing tall and firm beside the Lib Dems. If the Lib Dems fail to convince the electorate to support the reforms, then their main reason for joining forces with the Conservatives will have been in vain.
One can bet that since the general election the main task of the Conservative Party office is to monitor and analyse the polls in minute detail, preparing for that moment when the Coalition is torn apart. When it does end, Nick Clegg's career as the Liberal Democrats leader will be over.
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