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The Coalition finishes on a high – quite literally as David Cameron hands out beer at last Cabinet meeting | The Coalition finishes on a high – quite literally as David Cameron hands out beer at last Cabinet meeting |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Coalition finished off on a high as David Cameron handed out a bottle of beer to all 33 of his top ministers at the last Cabinet meeting of their five-year term. | The Coalition finished off on a high as David Cameron handed out a bottle of beer to all 33 of his top ministers at the last Cabinet meeting of their five-year term. |
And to avoid questions over what he ever brought to the Cabinet table Nick Clegg dished out crisps to his Coalition colleagues. | And to avoid questions over what he ever brought to the Cabinet table Nick Clegg dished out crisps to his Coalition colleagues. |
There was a real end-of-term atmosphere as the Tories and Lib Dem ministers celebrated their “achievements” in office with a specially crafted “Co-ale-ition” branded beer, which combines “hints of oak and zesty lemon” flavours to cater for both parties. | There was a real end-of-term atmosphere as the Tories and Lib Dem ministers celebrated their “achievements” in office with a specially crafted “Co-ale-ition” branded beer, which combines “hints of oak and zesty lemon” flavours to cater for both parties. |
The two leaders announcing their Coalition vows in their 'Rose Garden' press conference in 2010 (Getty) | The two leaders announcing their Coalition vows in their 'Rose Garden' press conference in 2010 (Getty) |
The beer was made by Wychwood Brewery – the producers of Hobgoblin – based in the Prime Minister’s Witney constituency. | The beer was made by Wychwood Brewery – the producers of Hobgoblin – based in the Prime Minister’s Witney constituency. |
Eric Pickles, the Communities and Local Government Secretary, broke the news of Mr Cameron's generosity just after 9am this morning: | Eric Pickles, the Communities and Local Government Secretary, broke the news of Mr Cameron's generosity just after 9am this morning: |
On the cabinet table for every member of the Cabinet! pic.twitter.com/GDv2ZP6WFe | On the cabinet table for every member of the Cabinet! pic.twitter.com/GDv2ZP6WFe |
On the back of the bottle it celebrated the Coalition’s “refreshing”, “creative” and “truly distinctive” approach from an “unconventional pairing”. | On the back of the bottle it celebrated the Coalition’s “refreshing”, “creative” and “truly distinctive” approach from an “unconventional pairing”. |
But ministers would have been wise not to have drunk too many of the 4.5 per cent volume beers so early in the morning. | But ministers would have been wise not to have drunk too many of the 4.5 per cent volume beers so early in the morning. |
Mr Clegg’s crisps were branded “Crunchy Coalition” and were Spicy Yorkshire sauce crisps made by Henderson’s in his Sheffield constituency. | |
Anyone suggesting the Coalition was just looking out for those at the top were wrong – the leaders’ gifts were also handed out to aides, advisers, officials and spin doctors. | Anyone suggesting the Coalition was just looking out for those at the top were wrong – the leaders’ gifts were also handed out to aides, advisers, officials and spin doctors. |
The label on the front of the bottle described the Co-ale-ition as “indispensable political ale” along with a picture of Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg waving the Union flag outside Number 10 Downing Street. | The label on the front of the bottle described the Co-ale-ition as “indispensable political ale” along with a picture of Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg waving the Union flag outside Number 10 Downing Street. |
Ministers sit at the Cabinet table in No 10 (The Sun) | Ministers sit at the Cabinet table in No 10 (The Sun) |
Describing the taste of the specially-made beer, the label on the back says: “An unconventional pairing; this experimental beer has astonished doubters & exceeded expectations. | Describing the taste of the specially-made beer, the label on the back says: “An unconventional pairing; this experimental beer has astonished doubters & exceeded expectations. |
“Time for some creative thinking with this carefully crafted beer, hints of oak and zesty lemon deliver a truly distinctive, refreshing flavour that lasts the distance.” | “Time for some creative thinking with this carefully crafted beer, hints of oak and zesty lemon deliver a truly distinctive, refreshing flavour that lasts the distance.” |
Grant Shapps, the Tory party chairman, revealed the tasty flavours on Twitter: | Grant Shapps, the Tory party chairman, revealed the tasty flavours on Twitter: |
Bottles of Co-Ale-Ition beer were presented to the final Cabinet of this parliament. "An unconventional pairing" pic.twitter.com/4dV1PvETKE | Bottles of Co-Ale-Ition beer were presented to the final Cabinet of this parliament. "An unconventional pairing" pic.twitter.com/4dV1PvETKE |
Mr Clegg said his gift from the Yorkshire Crisp company was "a nice reminder of what the Coalition government has delivered for the North generally and Sheffield specifically". | |
“I’m tremendously proud to represent a city that has given the world so many fantastic things over the years. Henderson’s Relish is just one of the world famous products to have come out of Sheffield," he added. | |
It was the last Cabinet meeting before the election campaign kicks off on Monday, the day Parliament dissolves. | It was the last Cabinet meeting before the election campaign kicks off on Monday, the day Parliament dissolves. |
The formal end of the parliamentary session – known as the Prorogation of Parliament – takes place on Thursday. | The formal end of the parliamentary session – known as the Prorogation of Parliament – takes place on Thursday. |
However there were a few on Twitter who questioned whether all decisions had been made under the influence... | However there were a few on Twitter who questioned whether all decisions had been made under the influence... |
@EricPickles Oh, so you're DRUNK when you made decisions. The last 5 years makes more sense now. Thanks for clearing this up. | @EricPickles Oh, so you're DRUNK when you made decisions. The last 5 years makes more sense now. Thanks for clearing this up. |