What happens if there is another hung Parliament after the General Election?

Peter Riddell, Director of the Institute for Government

Robert Hazell and Peter Riddell briefed FPA members in detail on what might happen after May the 8th as negotiations take place to form a new Government.

A potted summary of their presentation is available here.

All the polls indicated a hung Parliament, and it was likely that 2015 would be much more complicated than 2010. The Liberal Democrats would have fewer MPs, the SNP appeared to be doing very well in Scotland and the UKIP vote would be up by a large percentage.

Professor Robert Hazell, Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL

It would probably take longer than five days to form a Government and during that time the Prime Minister would remain at Number 10 until it was clear who could command the confidence of MPs in the House of Commons.

The party leaders would also be under much greater pressure to consult; David Cameron would probably be required this time to seek the approval of all Conservative MPs for any coalition agreement. 

Professor Hazell said minority Governments could survive and indeed thrive. There could be four outcomes of the General Election: a single party majority Government (which looked unlikely), a majority coalition, a minority Government, or a minority coalition.

There was only likely to be a "Grand Coalition" of Conservatives and Labour if there was a serious national crisis concerning security or the international economy. Professor Hazell thought it likely there would be a series of hung Parliaments in years to come. They were not prepared to predict the outcome.