It had been well known that the Senate Republicans — and DeFrancisco in particular — are not big on the idea of another wage hike, fearful of further angering their already
restive conservative base, not to mention their donors in the business community.
Paddy Ashdown has urged his
restive party to prepare for the possibility of a second coalition with the Tories, saying the
Conservatives have proved surprisingly good and trustworthy partners for the Liberal Democrats in government.