"coalition government"

Dr Lobster* · Thu 20 May, 2010 13.13

The UK's coalition government has pledged to ban the sale of alcohol below cost price in an effort to cut binge drinking in England and Wales

why does the bbc need to refer to the government as the "coalition government". can't it just be a "government"? they don't seem to have done this in the past for scotland.

examples:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8694558.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8690572.stm
[there are many more]

why?

Alexia · Thu 20 May, 2010 13.36

In the same way before as various right-wing rags used to refer to the previous administration as "the Labour Government".

It's still a fairly new thing (barely over a week old) so I expect the usage will diminish as time goes on.

scottishtv · Thu 20 May, 2010 14.42

Thank you! I thought it was just me - but yes, I find it quite grating and wish it would stop.

I think Alexia is right though - there is still a bit of newbie-ness about this government, including the little grins the Cabinet all wear when being called by their job titles. Notable example: the Chancellor.

As for buzzwords used by the politicians themselves, I know we can't influence their usage but I hope "the national interest" will be used less frequently. I have this nagging feeling it will wheeled out to combat any question that attempts to scrutinise this government's policies.

DVB Cornwall · Thu 20 May, 2010 14.51

I've no problem with the description, it's a new concept and needs to be emphasised. Coverage today, using the description. when the programme, an amalgam of both parties policies, was announced seems to be more than appropriate.

barcode · Thu 20 May, 2010 15.25

what is all this fuss? media used this term in Scotland back in 1999 for a while,

Lorns · Wed 26 May, 2010 22.33

A coalition goverment, majority goverment, rainbow goverment etc... I voted, at least i can moan about the goverment. that makes me happy.

Beep · Wed 26 May, 2010 23.12

barcode wrote:what is all this fuss? media used this term in Scotland back in 1999 for a while,

What's all the fuss, it was used for a while in England in 1974, when Ted Heath failed to form one.

barcode · Wed 26 May, 2010 23.26

Beep wrote:
barcode wrote:what is all this fuss? media used this term in Scotland back in 1999 for a while,
What's all the fuss, it was used for a while in England in 1974, when Ted Heath failed to form one.

Alas you are wrong. labour run as minority government, then in 78 its was a pack between labour and liberals

Chie · Fri 28 May, 2010 02.48

barcode wrote:
Beep wrote:
barcode wrote:what is all this fuss? media used this term in Scotland back in 1999 for a while,
What's all the fuss, it was used for a while in England in 1974, when Ted Heath failed to form one.
Alas you are wrong. labour run as minority government, then in 78 its was a pack between labour and liberals

No, he's not wrong.

barcode · Fri 28 May, 2010 21.53

Chie wrote:
barcode wrote:
Beep wrote: What's all the fuss, it was used for a while in England in 1974, when Ted Heath failed to form one.
Alas you are wrong. labour run as minority government, then in 78 its was a pack between labour and liberals
No, he's not wrong.

In what term? How can media use "coalition government" in 1974 if labour operated as a minority government ?

Chie · Fri 28 May, 2010 22.08

Failed to form one, Barcode.

Failed

to

form

one.

Heath (the Conservative prime minister) negotiated with the Liberal party over forming a coalition. The negotiations collapsed, he resigned, and Labour, being the party with the most seats, formed a minority government.

The media must have used the term 'coalition government' whilst the ill-fated negotiations were taking place.