MARY REGAN: Labour has to grin and bear this Mary and John coalition

THE honeymoon might long be over, but the Mary and John phase of the coalition’s relationship has begun.

Like the fighting couple in Father Ted, they bicker and argue and despise what the other stands for. But they know they are stuck in this marriage, and when the priest enters their shop front they hold hands, smile politely and hide the knives behind their backs.

After submissively accepting the measures outlined in yesterday’s budget, the Labour party is putting on a brave face in front of the uncomfortable reality of being imprisoned in a partnership to which there is no alternative.