There are more signs that the Conservative-Liberal coalition is becoming more than fingertips-only contact. From PR Week, we see that the coalition  will be sharing a new Communications Unit. Logical strategy for a coalition? Maybe. But it’s not doing a good job of throwing sand on the fire of those conspiracy theorists who are speculating about a longer term Cameron-Clegg tieup and the discarding of their unwanted party fringes.

The new set-up would see a small number of Conservative and Liberal Democrat media strategists sitting side-by-side. Lib Dem insiders said the party’s director of general election communications Jonny Oates would occupy a key role in the unit.
 
In the new PR operation, Oates is expected to work closely with Andy Coulson, the former Conservative Party communications chief who is in line for the Downing Street communications director role. Other Lib Dem communications staff are expected to be based in the Cabinet Office, working directly for deputy prime minister Nick Clegg. The new Downing Street communications unit is expected to get the green light next week. Well-placed sources told PRWeek it would help the coalition government to successfully integrate announcements and to avoid mixed messages.

Mixed messages?  How can you possibly spin as “integrated” a coalition deal which allows Libs to abstain on Tory policies but whips Tories through the lobby in support of Liberal nonsense? Trident, anyone? And how can they possibly spin a merger of two so completely different views of our European enemies? UKIP will be pleased.

They’ll find it easier on the Green nonsense though. After all, apparently we’re all watermelons now.

* Picture blatantly pinched from the irrepressible GrumpyOldTwat