It would be absurd for the Lib Dems to get

[Sweeedes]

into bed with Labour if the Toies have the largst tranche of the popular vote, but the result means no overall control.

It would make a liar of Nick Clegg as his mantra is "get out there, get involved, make your vote count".

Labour should make an emergency substitution from GB to Ed Miliband. He would sound like a breath of fresh air for the third debate. Gordon looks and sounds like a diplodocus these days, poor chap.

Toies = Tories

Although David Milliband would be even better.

Lib Dems have said in the press they wouldn't form a coalition for the sake of doing so - but would offer their support to the majority party if the majority party would agree to support 4 of the Lib Dems key policies.

"? Investing extra funds in education through a pupil premium for disadvantaged children.

? Tax reform, taking 4 million out of tax and raising taxes on the rich by requiring capital gains and income to be taxed at the same rate.

? Rebalancing of the economy to put less emphasis on centralised banking and more on a new greener economy.

? Political reforms, including changes to the voting system and a democratically elected Lords, that go further than proposed by Labour."
The Guardian; 14/2/10

Anastaia - Ah interesting.

So vote Lib Dem get Tory (plus 4 of Lib Dem's policies) is more likely than vote Lib Dem get Labour (plus 4 Lib Dem policies)?

I like the pupil premium idea.

Capital Gains Tax was until 2 years ago taxed at the individual's marginal (income tax) rate, so if you were a 40% tax payer, capital gains would be taxed at 40%. Labour reduced it to a flat rate of 18%. So Lib Dems are just reverting to the system as it always was. This will be a little hard to swallow as there is now a 50% income tax rate which means all capital gains will be taxed at 50% for those people for whom that's their marginal rate. Eeek. But fair enough. It might be cheaper to give up work for a while when you are thinking of disposing of a valuable asset. It would pay to do so.

Rebalancing the economy is just stupid waffle since retail banking is heavily subsidised by investment banking. Banking is about to become much more expensive for everyone. Northern Rock went tits up, I can't think of any banking institution less casino-y than Northern Rock.

Oh and agree with electoral reform and a full and proper reform of our second chamber.

But Vote Lib Dem get Labour or Tory plus a few Lib Dem picks if you're lucky.

We really need PR before the election.

Not sure, also, think I made a slip up by saying majority party - possibly should have said party with majority of the national vote.

Clegg has said quite frequently that its up to the voters and I think have seen him quoted as saying they believe the party with the largest percentage of the vote (rather than seats won) would have a mandate to govern. So if that's true it would depend on who gets most votes over all.

He also said he didn't know if the Lib Dems could reach an agreement with Brown because he 'systematically blocked, and personally blocked, political reform'

(Justa Very well, thank you. How are you? And how is that very small boy of yours? And the not so small ones? )

Anastasia - Yes, agree. I think lots of people would feel aggrieved to have voted Lib Dem only to end up with Labour in charge, mainly. But equally fear some people (another 40%) would feel horribly shat on if the Lib Dems forged an alliance with the Tories if they were the party with largest slice of the popular vote. (Most likely according to current polls).

Most of the people I know would be less horrifed at a Lib/Tory agreement than a Lib/Lab one.

I wonder what the effect of a 3 way split for the 3 main parties will have on smaller parties and independents. Wonder if more of them will win seats? I know Plaid and SNP aren't adverse to a 'balanced Parliament' (described it as that rather than hung) and wonder what role they might have if there's no clear majority.

David Milliband reminds me (and others I know) of Mr Bean.....