Podcast
Cameron seals the deal
Updated: 2010-05-13 13:08
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The Conservatives tied up with the smaller Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday to form Britain's first coalition government since World War II - an arrangement Chinese analysts believe will push forward Sino-British ties.
An agreement between the two parties was reached five days after an inconclusive election on May 6, ending 13 years of rule by the center-left Labour Party under Tony Blair and his successor Gordon Brown.
Conservative leader David Cameron, 43 - the UK's youngest prime minister in almost 200 years - took over after Brown admitted defeat in his own efforts to broker a deal with the Liberal Democrats.
"This is going to be hard and difficult work. A coalition will throw up all sorts of challenges. But I believe together we can provide that strong and stable government that our country needs," Cameron said in his first speech as prime minister.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, who will be deputy prime minister, said he would prove new politics was possible and would be better in spite of glitches and problems that were sure to come. British newspaper The Times said in support of the Conservatives: "The coalition provides Britain with the stable government it needs at a time of economic peril."
But Labour-supporting Mirror said: "Deep-held grudges, mutual suspicion and opposing agendas will bedevil this cobbled-together regime."
Analysts spelt out that coalitions could work, citing recent European history that teemed with examples of durable coalition governments that tackled crises head on, such as in Finland, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
But the great unknown for Britain is the peculiarity of its confrontational political system, which might not be best suited to a coalition style of government.
Questions:
1. This is the first British coalition since which event in history?
2. How many years did Labour rule for?
3. What age is Conservative leader David Cameron?
Answers:
1. World War II.
2. 13-years.
3. 43.
（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.