'Unprecedented' power for Clegg
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Nick Clegg has been handed far-reaching influence over the workings of the Government, making him the most powerful Deputy Prime Minister of modern times, an unprecedented coalition agreement has revealed.
Mr Clegg will have a say in government reshuffles, policy disputes and will even wield influence over the Budget, according to a four-page document drawn up to formalise the workings of the coalition. The Liberal Democrat leader will also play a key role in resolving arguments between the parties.
These are much greater powers than those of either John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister under Tony Blair, or Lord Mandelson, Gordon Brown's de facto deputy.
Under the terms of what amounts to a coalition contract, Mr Clegg will have a seat on eight out of nine Cabinet committees hammering out government policy. He will chair the committee on domestic affairs, which will give him a major say in key policies on law and order, education and the NHS.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments