Norman Baker’s exit signals rising UK coalition government tension

While Mr Baker’s departure clearly signals an overflowing of political tensions as the general election approaches, figures on both sides denied a wider breakdown of government co-operation...But these sorts of spats are likely to increase in the run-up to the poll, said Akash Paun, fellow at the Institute for Government and author of a recent report on the final year of coalition government. “The first two years of coalition is about working together,” he said. “It’s logical in the later stages of coalition that both sides emphasise their differences. Parties increasingly focus on the election and developing and setting out their policies for the election.”