But one concept created in the computer industry, and one which is completely alien to British politics, has found its way to Westminster - co-opetition.

Co-operation from Big Bird

A mixture of co-operation and competition, co-opetition is the phenomenon of firms which are sworn enemies taking the remarkable step of working together. It is what used to be called enlightened self-interest.

So when Apple's Steve Jobs announced to amazed loyalists that the company had a new ally - and then Bill Gates's huge face appeared on screens behind him - it was a prime example of co-opetition.

It was the same when RealNetworks agreed to sell Microsoft a 10% share and licence its technology, and when Time Warner and TCI joined with Sega to for the Sega Channel.

Steve Jobs: Put the concept into practice

The concept has even given rise to a book, Co-opetition, written by Adam M. Brandenburger and Barry J. Nalebuff - who nobly take a leaf out of their own book. Brandenburger is from Harvard Business School while Nalebuff hails from Yale School of Management.

Lexicographers at the Oxford English Dictionary have been logging the use of the word, but are waiting for it to become more established before including it in the dictionary.

But the agreement between UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Paddy Ashdown, leader of the Liberal Democrats, to work together could just give the OED the push it needs.

The parties will work together on a range of policies which will doubtless include adopting the European single currency. Announcing the agreement, they said: "Of course we are two sovereign and independent parties working together where we agree and opposing each other where we do not."

All smiles?

Mr Blair has faced opposition from some of his MPs. But it is Mr Ashdown who has faced the rougher ride. The deal, which refines Mr Ashdown's previous policy of "constructive opposition", has been backed by his MPs and party heirarchy. But many activists, who have been fighting Labour for years as their main opposition, are strongly opposed. One of their main fears is that, as the junior partner, they will get swallowed by the Labour machine.

Food for thought for the sceptical

For those worried by co-opetition, it may be interesting to consider how the Apple/Microsoft deal has worked.

It was in some of Apple's darkest days that Gates gave the company a boost by a modest investment and - more importantly - a pledge to publish Microsoft Office software for the Mac.

Bill Gates: Was it good for you?

And yet just over a year on, it is Apple which can look back on a good year. It pulled through its dark days, and the iMac has been a huge marketing success. And the bottom line is that Apple is now back in profit.

Last month it reported that its full year profits had been $309m, compared to a loss of nearly $1.05bn in the previous year.

Meanwhile Microsoft's year has not been quite so smooth, wrapped up in court with the prospect of it being broken up in the US Justice Department's anti-trust action.