Kuala Lampur, Oct. 31 -- Before 2017, there had only been one formal confidence and supply agreement (CSA) in the United Kingdom (UK).

That was the 1977 "Lib-Lab pact" - the CSA between Liberal party and Labour party. The latter was the party in government with Jim Callaghan, the prime minister.

In exchange for their support, the Liberal MPs, led by David Steel, were granted a number of minor concessions. Most notably an "understanding" that Labour MPs would be given a free vote on the electoral system to be used in the forthcoming European parliamentary elections.

The Liberal leader had hoped this would result in the House of Commons supporting a proportional system. When more than 70 Labour MPs abstained from supporting the system, t...