WWYD if you were Nick Clegg?

[FrakkinTheReturningOfficer]

Seeing as Cleggy is likely to be the chap practically deciding the outcome of this, WWYD in his position?

I would probably align with Labour on the condition we had a referendum on election reform and push to dissolve Parliament for a new election as soon as that passed....

Thanks for all the clear explanation, MintHumbug. In view of the fact that labour have not done so badly, in spite of the terrible things they have done, how could you have any confidence that a new election would bring a very different result?

"Ironically, DC might be wise to let the Lib/Lab coalition go forward. They'll screw the country up so badly that when we're all back at the polls 9 - 12 months from now, we'll boot them both out for a good long time!"

I agree. DC should walk away from the poisoned chalice.

However, if the Cons do a deal with the LibDems which involves their pet subject of PR, then the quid pro quo should be that the West Lothian question gets sorted.

This is bad
At this point in our economic mires, we needed a strong government leading us forwards
This is going to drag on, and drag us down

Cons have done badly in Wales and Scotland - they ave not voice there but won MASSIVELY if you just take the English votes. I wonder if this will split the union further?

You know, I am beginning to think that we would lose a PR referendum (as in, people will vote to retain the current system).

I feel that there is little moral legitimacy for Lib/Lab coalition, given that neither party has actually improved its share of the vote. So if i were Nick Clegg, I would seek to do a deal on PR with DC.
But I think if Nick Clegg does not make PR his top prioritiy, no one will ever trust the LibDems again. It was his USP.

I think if the tories offer voting reform and maybe a couple of cabinet posts the lib dems should support them as the tories have many more seats than labour. If the tories don't offer voting reform the lib dems should not form a coalition with either party and could let the tories soldier on with a minority govt.

If the lib dems prop up labour they will never get seats in southern England again and will be associated with a tired failed labour govt.

Nick clegg has just spoken on this and I completely agree with what he said. If Nick Clegg continues on this path he will be well regarded I think. He must not allow himself to be wooed by labour.

ah, my respect for mr clegg just went up after that comment that the conservative gov't, having won the most seats and most votes, has first go -- even if everyone seems to be expecting a lib dem/labour coalition.

I'd put my phone straight to answerphone till Monday - let them all squrim for the weekend!

"I feel that there is little moral legitimacy for Lib/Lab coalition, given that neither party has actually improved its share of the vote. So if i were Nick Clegg, I would seek to do a deal on PR with DC."

You could argue that with a combined 52pc of the vote Lib-Lab have MUCH moral legitimacy

Clegg has to be shrewd about this. Yes, he will offer the Tories first shot BUT if they don't meet his demands (and Labour's offer !) then he will turn to the Labour party for coalition.

Simply, behind the scenes, he has to play them off against each other. It is the only rational thing for him to do for his supporters. Whatever he says in public, he MUST secure the best deal for his party/supporters.

I'm not unpleasantly suprised by Clegg's statement. He's sticking to what he said before (bonus points) and it puts the ball in DC's court as he's next to speak...

I seem to remember that the labour party promised the Lib dems a say before and did not deliver so I can see why he is talking to Cameron first . Never a good idea to join up with the losers. Its a bit like 2 wrongs don't make a right - two losers don't make a winner.
Michael Gove of the Tories said he respected the views of the Lib Dem candidate on education so at least we will get some common sense for the future of our children's education.

Yes, and DC is under pressure to offer PR etc to Lib-Dems otherwise NC can then turn to Labour

Would love to be a fly on the wall at the meetings of tory MPs. Bet they are cross not to have a majority.

The Lib Dems are to the left of labour on so many issues so the Tories have to offer PR (and maybe a bit more). Labour will have to remove GB + PR.

Clegg is playing this brilliantly.

There's no point having a "strong government" to push through tough economic times if they're not democratically representative of the people who voted for them. You might as well appoint a dictator - they would really be able to push through those tough decisions without wishy-washy things like other people's opinions getting in the way.

Bring on PR!

If I were Cameron I would offer a referendum on PR to the Lib Dems. I think that after yesterday it is quite clear that the country does not fancy PR (and I say this as a long term Lib Dem). So we lose the referendum and have to shut up about PR for another 20 years. Then Cameron can re-draw the boundaries in his favour to deal with the West Lothian question.

The premature referendum tactic worked with Scottish independence and it would work with PR.

what would you propose then, squrrel42 (in reference how the next gov't should get us out of th emess we are in)

agree with many posts here, hope to see lib dem and lab coalition -hopefully to eventually to boot out DC!

squirrel42 - you make very very good point in your last post

Go with labour and insist on electoral reform and cancellation of Trident. Work through the economic recovery with labour (and welsh and scottish nationalists) in a decisive and timely way.