After what has been, well, a somewhat imperfect week for the coalition, it seems our party-political bedfellows are finding it increasingly tricky sharing the proverbial duvet.

David Davis, erstwhile opponent of Dave in the 2005 Tory leadership election, has allegedly approvingly repeated a Lord Ashcroft description of the ConDem partnership as the “Brokeback Coalition”, referencing the Annie Proulx’s short story (and 2005 film) about two gay cowboys. Now we all knew Dave agrees with Nick, but surely their budding relationship hasn’t quite reached the cowboy role-play stage just yet.*

On the other side of the mattress, Lib Dem MP Tim Farron has branded Dave and Co. the “toxic Tories” while Deputy Leader Simon Hughes has revealed that Michael Gove’s ever-accelerating Academies Bill would not have had his party’s support had they been in opposition. Methinks honeymoon period may be coming to a close and the move to separate bedrooms drawing ever nearer.

*  Mr. Davis has of course now disavowed any such remark, saying that he must have been misheard.