1. Introduction: an anomalous election, a surprising coalition / Gianfranco Baldini -- 2. The British general election of 2010 and the advent of coalition government / Patrick Dunleavy -- 3. The Labour Party / Eric Shaw -- 4. The path to (sharing) power: the Conservative Party / Richard Hayton -- 5. The Liberal Democrats / Elizabeth Evans -- 6. The financial crisis and financial regulation in the UK / Lucia Quaglia -- 7. Inequality, poverty and the 2010 election / Jonathan Hopkin and Martina Viarengo -- 8. Immigration and multiculturalism: controversies and policies / Roberto Bertinetti -- 9. Devolution and the 2010 election in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland / Alan Trench -- 10. Between Europe and America: the coalition and Britain's changing international role / Gianfranco Baldini -- 11. Conclusion: Cameron and Clegg's great experiment / Jonathan Hopkin.