Robert Hazell was the founder and first Director of the Constitution Unit at University College London, UK, where he has written widely on constitutional matters, and been an adviser to government and to Parliament.

The Politics of Coalition is the tale of two parties embarking on the first coalition government at Westminster for over 60 years. What challenges did they face in the first couple of years, and how did they deal with them?
With the authorisation of Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the then Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, the Constitution Unit has interviewed over 140 ministers, MPs, Lords, civil servants, party officials and interest groups about the Coalition and the impact coalition government has had upon Westminster and Whitehall.
The Politics of Coalition tells how the Coalition has operated in the different arenas of the British political system: at the Centre; within the Departments; in Parliament; in the parties outside Parliament; and in the media. It will be of interest to politicians, policy makers, academics, students and anyone interested in how the UK Coalition works in practice and not just in theory.
The research for the book was funded by the Nuffield Foundation.
'An essential resource for anyone with an interest in the Coalition, its workings behind the scenes, and its prospects for the future. Packed with facts, insights and telling detail.'
Benedict Brogan, The Telegraph
'The Politics of Coalition provides an invaluable route map to the way the Conservative/Liberal Government works - and identifies important lessons to guide politicians, officials and the media if no party wins an overall majority at the next election.'
Rt Hon Peter Riddell, Director, Institute for Government
'This book is pure gold - contemporary history at its best. It will fascinate those inside the Coalition, those who witness its developing emotional geography from Parliament and the general public keen to know how - what is, for the British - a very peculiar practice, is working out.'
Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield, Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History, Queen Mary, University of London

1. Introduction: Why Study the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition?
Ben Yong
2. The Experience of Coalition: Domestic and Abroad
Eimear O'Casey
3. Formation of the Coalition
Ben Yong
4. How the Coalition Works at the Centre
Robert Hazell
5. Departments: Ministers and the Civil Service
Peter Waller
6. The Coalition in Parliament
Ben Yong
7. The Political Parties 1
Ben Yong
8. The Coalition and the Media
Brian Walker
9. Case Study I: Constitutional Reform
Robert Hazell
10. Case Studies II: Tuition Fees, NHS Reform, and Nuclear Policy
Peter Waller and Ben Yong
11. Lessons for the Future
Robert Hazell
Appendices
Appendix 1: Party Breakdown of the Coalition Agreements
Appendix 2: Opinion Polls on the Coalition and the Political Parties, 2010-11
Appendix 3: Coalition Government Chronology, 2010-11
Appendix 4: Coalition Agreement for Stability and Reform
Appendix 5: Letter from Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell on Coalition Government
Appendix 6: Guidance on Liaison between Departments and Coalition Backbenchers, July 2010
Appendix 7: No 10 Policy and Implementation Unit: Who's Who, Summer 2011
Appendix 8: Glossary