The Impossibility of a Coalition Government Between the Conservatives and Labour in Modern Britain

Is there a chance that the Tories (Conservatives) will form a government with Labour?

Historical Precedents

Having a coalition government between the Conservative party (Tories) and the Labour party in modern Britain is about as likely as snow in the Atacama Desert. However, it is worth mentioning the historical instances where such a situation did occur. Before the Second World War, between 1931 and 1937, a National Government under Ramsay MacDonald (Labour) and Stanley Baldwin (Conservative) led Britain to victory. Even in peacetime, a coalition of this nature is theoretically possible, much like how it occurred in Israel due to their proportional representation (PR) electoral system.

Current Political Context

The current Conservative government has taken several steps towards the left since their election. This has led to a significant shift from the Thatcher and Blair eras. It is evident that their ideological stance is quite different, making a coalition between these two parties extremely unlikely. Blair's Labour party adapted Tory-like policies during his tenure, and upon leaving, the party moved further to the left. In fact, some critics argue that Labour under Blair may have been more right-wing than the Conservatives under Johnson, suggesting a closer ideological alignment but still not enough to form a coalition.

The constant change in political ideologies and the unpredictability of future events, such as a major crisis, can alter the political landscape. For instance, during World War II, a coalition of this nature did form, but this is not to be assumed for current times unless there is an existential threat to the nation.

Feasibility in the Absence of Crisis

Without an existential threat, such as a major war, the chance of a Conservative-Labour coalition is virtually impossible. If exit polls are correct, we might very well be back at the polls in six months, leading to another hung parliament.

End-of-World Scenarios

Interestingly, the scenario of forming a coalition does make sense in certain end-of-world type scenarios such as an alien invasion or a zombie apocalypse. However, for the current and foreseeable future, the idea of a coalition government between the Conservatives and Labour is just impossible to envision.

In sum, while a coalition government between the Conservatives and Labour is a fascinating topic for political discussion, the practical and ideological realities make it an highly improbable occurrence. Until there is an unprecedented crisis or a significant change in the political environment, the two parties will continue to govern separately, each holding to its own distinct political beliefs and priorities.