So the great British people (well about 65% of them) have spoken through the ballot box. The outcome reminds me rather of two things:
(a) A small Afghan puppy invented by Frank Muir: What-a-mess
(b) The Victorian hatter’s advert: You may have it cocked up in the latest style.
I’m still predicting a Labour-LibDem minority government with another general election probably next February but may be as early as October/November.
Unedifying. But that’s democracy.
I can't see Clegg being willing to work with Labour if half the media reports are true. Besides if Labour and the Lib-dems get together they will still be relying on some of the independents to vote with them or they could never be certain of getting anything through parliament. Conservatives and Lib-Dems wouldn't need anyone else to vote with them
Mathematically, yes, Jilly, I agree. But remember that the LibDems are ideologically much closer to Labour, and as "losers" Labour might be keener to support electoral reform. Certainly such an alliance would also need some/all the nationalists, but it seems that the Welsh are almost already signed up and the Scots are not ruling out the possibility. And again most of the nationalists are ideologically quite close to Labour. I just don't see the Tories and the LibDems being able to talk enough common language, despite the maths. Oh, and according to the news Clegg is already talking to Brown as well as Cameron.
I don't blame Clegg for talking to both sides – he has to keep his options open. In the end I think from what I've read Cameron is the only one who can say I'll form a Government – even if he doesn't have Clegg's support – simply because the Tories have the most MPs. It will be interesting to see what happens – but whatever does I can't see the Government lasting for long without another election – as in 1974.I know what you're saying about ideologies though I suspect power speaks louder . . .