Employment relations under coalition government: reflections, legacy and prospects

This chapter reflects on the ways in which the coalition government, as a partnership between two different political parties, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, influenced employment relations. While a key underlying continuity in employment relations was evident, consistent with the UK as a financialized liberal market economy, the period between 2010 and 2015 was also marked by some distinctive features. The prospects for employment relations under the Conservative majority government elected in May 2015 are assessed; its policies, including the measures contained within the 2015 Trade Union Bill, are part of an attempt to construct a new political hegemony.