[danielf]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

The Lib Dems may be open to playing a longer game. As I mentioned previously it would be potentially far more damaging to them to prop up a Labour government especially given the concessions SNP/PC/ NI parties want in return for their required support to that coalition.

I suspect they'll suck it up, get as much as they can out of it, and run with it for a while in the hope of establishing something of a record and improving their standing in a future election.

If the Lib Dems just stamp their feet and demand PR it is potentially harmful to them if there's another election in the near future as it opens up a huge angle of attack - the Tories can say that they were ready to co-operate for the good of the country but Lib Dem's 'selfish' demands for electoral reform delayed progress and pushed the country back to the polls.

The aims can stay but a healthy dose of pragmatism, especially in the context of previous comments from Nick Clegg and his reputation as an 'honourable politician'. The electorate seems to respond well to the parties working together.

I've seen some comments from a Labour MP in Glasgow South regarding the disdain for the idea of Nick Clegg dictating to the Labour party that Gordon Brown has to go - for my money though that's exactly what would have to happen. For the Lib Dems to support Gordon Brown would be political suicide, to support Labour and several others without Brown is merely rather distasteful.

It's a difficult one to call. I agree that Clegg should insist on Brown going, but the argument for that has been weakened since Labour did not come third in the popular vote. (Clegg didn't outright say Brown had to go, he said he couldn't see Brown staying on if Labour came third). The choice for the Lib Dems (from my perspective) is electoral reform with continued stalinism, or limited political reform and greater civil liberties. Not a choice I'd like to make...