Oh dear, they can no longer be soft-Tory in Labour areas and soft-Labour in Tory areas, actually being in government has royally screwed their ability to follow entirely contradictory positions in different parts of the country depending on what goes down best with the locals.

Going into a coalition with the Tories? What did they expect. It’s like marrying George Best…

Nick Clegg is not entirely to blame for the failure in the Coalition.Conservative policy has thrown out caution and led to unpopularity of the Westminster admin. Take a look back to the 80s when Maggie was in power, her party sold council housing without creating houses to ensure that there would be a supply.that in turn led to a greater sense of unfairness in the K as not every one has the money to buy their own home.it all meant that when Labour got in they went on a shopping trip paying out for anything and with poor choices under banks led to the UK recession.War in Iraq cost
lives and wealth, enter the Coalition
Tory power was superior to Lib therefore Nick was an unwitting prop for Tory policy and the voter laid the blame on Nick who promised he would not allow Fees on university
Wiith a majority in Scotland for the Scottish National Party with Westminster now trying to work out how to go forward it proves that the UK voter wants honesty and fair play in UK politics it proves that voters will be lied to no more and that every man and woman in government exists to work for the folk in the UK not just steal from the voter.who created the recession?
not ordinary folk
it was the result of too many greedy folk wanting more
Labour and Tory have to know their ideas are the cause.

I spent 10 years of my life working in local government – in senior policy and management roles for both Labour and Conservative authorities. In all that time, Labour and Tory members were always a pleasure to deal with and tried very hard to protect officers from political u-turns and other machinations. Many Labour or Conservative members had far more integrity and were far more honourable than the local MPs. The Lib Dems were, however, appalling — utterly cynical, self-seeking and ruthless. Give me an honest socialist or an honest Tory any day!

Sunny, OP

But what issues will Tories give on? That remains the big question…

The Tories will (and need) not give the Lib Dems an inch. In fact they can open up and push on. The local elections prove that the coalition was a one-way street. For the Lib Dems to ‘threaten’ to bring down the coalition would not only turkeys voting for Christmas, but the Brussels sprouts, parsnips and mince pies putting a bid in too., then just to make sure, the fatted calf will be demanding the return of the prodigal son. The Lib Dems know they would get wiped out at the resultant election.

The Tories, on the other hand got through the local elections completely unscathed. The Tory Party are doing exactly what the majority of their voters want, CUT, CUT, CUT and Cut some more, just to be on the safe side. They could rip up the coalition agreement put it on a bonfire and smear the ashes onto every Lib Dem’s face and there is nothing, absolutely nothing Clegg can do because Clegg has a busted flush in his hands and Cameron knows it.

Personally, I would not be surprised if the Tories are actually getting ready to manoeuvre a position to call a snap election; they must be fairly emboldened by the local elections and the weakness of the Lib Dems and Labour at the moment. Labour has just fought a rather bruising Scottish election and the funds must be a bit on the short side. The Lib Dems appear pretty shell-shocked at the moment, I seriously doubt that they have the stomach for another bout in the trenches, but every Tory in the Country must be on their collective toes, right now.

If I were Clegg I would not be bothering with ‘negotiating’ with Cameron right now, I would be attempting to sew together some kind of escape pod, in the form of a non-aggression pact with Labour, for his MPs.

Say, fifty to sixty seats where both parties agree not to stand against each other. I am not saying that would actually work in denying the Tories a working majority, but it may be the last best hope for progressive politics in this Country.

“Libdems: we’re being ignored by Coalition”

And who’s fault is that? The Lie Dems made a big mistake hitching their wagon to Clegg. The man is a tory, or a fool. or maybe both. Dump him, you can’t trust him.

But Lie Dems need to pull their heads out of their backsides. What planet have they been living on? Not planet politics, their naivety is extraordinary.

To be honest I’m of the opinion that the Lib Dems running the show are quite happy with the direction Cameron is travelling, neo-liberal to the core they are.

What did they expect? They were never a senior partner, only a junior partner and perhaps not even that. All the Lib Dems have done is to legitimize illegitimate Tory policies. That is why there is no way back for those awfully soft and cuddly Lib Dems. They are useless, pointless and spineless.

“But what issues will Tories give on?” That remains the big question.”

Tories? Give? Big question?

I have a feeling there are bigger questions than this – Tories don’t GIVE especially to those misguided aiders and abettors who rely on them for their continued existence. No, they TAKE and it’s usually the carpet from under the naive feet of their coalition partners – or fall guys – as our American cousins so succinctly put it.

The big question must be – why do any politically aware Lib Dems still vote for a party that has metamorphosed into a docile, brainwashed clique of aimless, middle of the roadsters who in an effort to maintain their moderate credentials have signed up to sAVage neo -Thatcherism and the demise of libraries – for the good of the country? If the good of the country depends on the good offices of the LIb Dem coalitioners – then their first duty must be to survive as a party. On recent evidence they appear to be in dereliction of this first duty.

There is no obligation on the part of ignored and befuddled folk to continue supporting the Lib Dems – (loyalty can only stand on its head only for so long) – they are perfectly at Liberty – yes Liberty – to cast their vote elsewhere – it’s quite respectable and honourable (challenging word) and no one need know!

@9 Mulligrubs: “The big question must be – why do any politically aware Lib Dems still vote for a party that has… [ed: descended into crap, LibDems not doing enough].”

LibDems hang on with the coalition because we think that single party Conservative government would be worse. We got in there to protect public services and change a few social things around the fringes. I think that LibDems did well and badly in the last 12 months on policy delivery.

But on the primary point, why vote LibDem? Because we are liberals.

LibCon attracts people from all parties who are liberal-ish. But outside the LibDems, liberals are a minority. Acknowledging that the LibDems are a social/liberal democrat compromise, 90% of members and supporters are old fart liberals.

Small L liberals within the Conservative and Labour parties in Parliament have been exceptional individuals. Roy Jenkins, Chris Patten, Robin Cook. It is apposite to label them as freaky liberals and they were exceptional, glorious outsiders.

But that generation is dead or retired. And the new generation don’t get it.

charlieman (10): “The big question must be . . . ”

A masterclass in convolution – congratulations and thank you. As I can scarcely make head nor tail of it as political comment – I will try playing it on the piano. I will call it – as a tribute to Mr Clegg and his party of many hues – forty shades of orange.

If this is your idea of communication politics – no wonder you did so badly in the AV fiasco. But I do appreciate your straight-faced civility and the classic ‘did well and badly’ – that’s a corker that is. How DID you manage that straight face?

What I think you mean is that the coalition Lib Dems are a curates egg; – good and bad in parts – but as a whole un-swallowable.

My sympathies.