Well no. Thanks to the unique nature of our electoral system this scenario cannot realistically happen, but none the less it doesn’t stop the nation’s darling leader of the moment Nick Clegg in jokingly speculating about who would be involved in his cabinet should he make it to Number 10…
Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Clegg revealed who he would call upon in some fantasy cabinet assemblage in addition to his current frontline team. His choices suggest scant tribal politicking, but a little revenge too…
“I'd like to put Charles Kennedy back on the frontline, I'd love to have Paddy [Ashdown] there – particularly on Afghanistan," he said.
When pushed to set his sights on other parties, he reportedly said: "I know what I'll do. Adonis keeps telling me he's a Lib Dem. Well, let's ask him. Vince; David Laws definitely; some of the pro-European Tories who have been marginalised. Bring back Patten maybe."
Readers note: Lord Adonis is the current transport secretary. Vince Cable, is (in case you hadn’t noticed) Nick Clegg’s right-hand man and go-to on the economy as the Lib Dem’s Treasury spokesman. David Laws is the Party’s schools spokesman, and Lord (Chris) Patten was the former Tory chairman who served as Governor of Hong Kong when it returned to Chinese control in July 1997 and later served as one of Britain's two members of the European Commission.
Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Clegg revealed who he would call upon in some fantasy cabinet assemblage in addition to his current frontline team. His choices suggest scant tribal politicking, but a little revenge too…“I'd like to put Charles Kennedy back on the frontline, I'd love to have Paddy [Ashdown] there – particularly on Afghanistan," he said.
When pushed to set his sights on other parties, he reportedly said: "I know what I'll do. Adonis keeps telling me he's a Lib Dem. Well, let's ask him. Vince; David Laws definitely; some of the pro-European Tories who have been marginalised. Bring back Patten maybe."
Readers note: Lord Adonis is the current transport secretary. Vince Cable, is (in case you hadn’t noticed) Nick Clegg’s right-hand man and go-to on the economy as the Lib Dem’s Treasury spokesman. David Laws is the Party’s schools spokesman, and Lord (Chris) Patten was the former Tory chairman who served as Governor of Hong Kong when it returned to Chinese control in July 1997 and later served as one of Britain's two members of the European Commission.Although Clegg leader made it clear his selections were in jest, the choices suggest he won't resile from his affection for the pro-European Tories – yes there are some out there…
But Clegg, unlike Gordon Brown, would be unlikely to invite hoards of non-politicians into the government as he confessed "I'm a little bit sceptical about this idea that if you run a business then you should advise politicians."
All sounds very sensible, in particular with prominent roles for the impressive Lord Adonis and the stalwarts Charles Kennedy, Paddy Ashdown and Vince Cable.
Now all we need to make that happen is a very large overall voter swing towards the Liberal Democrats… Might be a tall order with just 15 days until election day.
UPDATE: Even if getting into Number 10 is unlikely, perhaps Mr Clegg could get a cabinet post in any new government?
Jim Pickard of the FT's Westminster Blog has speculated that Mr Clegg could be made Foreign Secretary after remarking that "in European coalitions the minority partner (still presuming the Lib Dems would be) is often given the job of foreign minister". He cites Germany, where Guido Westerwelle, leader of the Free Democratic Party, is currently foreign minister, a role previously held by Green leader Joschka Fischer.
For Pickard, the advantages are clear: "A Lib Dem foreign secretary would be far removed from contentious domestic affairs. By contrast, imagine having a Labour or Tory prime minister working alongside a Lib Dem chancellor"...
For Pickard, the advantages are clear: "A Lib Dem foreign secretary would be far removed from contentious domestic affairs. By contrast, imagine having a Labour or Tory prime minister working alongside a Lib Dem chancellor"...
