7 May 2010

The UK general election results rolled in, and as had become ever more likely, it finished with a hung parliament, with the Tories taking most seats, followed by Labour then LibDems. The recent surge in the popularity of Nick Clegg had failed to crystalise into bums on seats; I suspect those who professed to be wowed by his peformance in the televised leader debates lost their bottle at the last. Still, an interesting situation with Clegg becoming kingmaker after all, and many coalition negotiations getting under way. Alternatively, Cameron could decide to go with a minority government and hope for a majority at a quick follow-up election. For myself, I would like to see a Tory/LibDem pact. I feel quite hypocritical because I am always railing against 'short-termism' in politics so ought to be in favour of Labour staying in and dealing with the results of their actions. Though I am usually a LibDem voter I naturally lean slightly left, but I can't face another 5 years of jaded Labour, so would like a coalition to reign in the more reprehensible Conservative policies, while acknowledging that it would be harder to pass legislation acceptable to all sides.