BACKBENCHERS from both parties are unhappy about Tony Blair's beefed-up pact with Paddy Ashdown that could give his Liberal Democrats influence over welfare reform, health and education.

But perhaps it is hard for many MPs to ditch the deep-dyed habits of British politics which call for parties to fight each other rather than co-operate.

Refreshingly, Tony Blair may be breaking the mould of perpetual confrontation at Westminster and opening the door to consensus at last.

But why should he do so when, with his massive Commons majority, he has no need to share power with anyone else?

Either he is being extremely and encouragingly high-minded.

Or, as a cynic might suspect, with Lib-Dems in his pocket, he is manoeuvring to create a Labour-dominated political front that keeps the Tories out of power for ever.

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