After 100 days, the coalition takes stock
The coalition government is marking its first 100 days in power, as Britain attempts to assess whether the Conservative-Liberal Democrat alliance can really last another five years.
Polls indicate strong public support after the first three months in government. Yesterday a YouGov poll found 43% of ordinary people thought the new government is performing better than the last one.
100 Days: State of the coalition
Prime minister David Cameron told the Sun newspaper, which endorsed his party last autumn, that he was determined to make “difficult decisions” early on.
“One of the lessons I learned, not just from Margaret Thatcher but also from what happened under Labour, is you’ve got to act early,” he said.
Poll shows coalition riding high after 100 days
“You have a limited time to use the goodwill that you have to try and turn that into concrete results.”
The approach appears to be working. Today a Guardian/ICM poll focusing on the economic recovery saw a positive balance, with 44% backing the coalition’s approach against 37% saying it is doing a bad job.
Nevertheless the coalition is concerned the debate on public spending is overshadowing its work. Yesterday George Osborne told a City audience that the cuts to come were both “progressive” and “fair”.
Osborne tries to brighten the message
And on the Today programme this morning deputy prime minister Nick Clegg insisted: “There’s more to this government than cuts.”
He is spending the day focusing on the government’s ambitions towards improving social mobility.
It comes after the TUC released a report warning that spending cuts would not help reduce the proportion of newborn babies whose earning potential can be predicted by the circumstances of their parents.
Mr Clegg’s party has performed poorly in opinion polls, averaging in the mid-teens while the Tories hover around the 40% mark.
The first 100 days has seen tensions emerge both on the economy and on foreign policy, where analysts warn the concerns of Britain’s third party are being marginalised.
Coalition’s first 100 days: Foreign policy
Coalition’s first 100 days: The economy
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes has called for his party to have a veto on all new policies, making the backroom negotiations which keep the coalition functioning more public.
Lib Dems ‘need backbench veto’
One of the more controversial early issues to be tackled is that of welfare reform. Reports today suggest universal benefits like winter fuel allowance and child benefit are set to be scrapped.
“We will have to find savings on what is a very large welfare bill,” Mr Clegg added.
“I think it is right that you should try to reform the system so it is as simple as possible and so there are incentives to work.”
