results

[thetank]

Compared to the 2005 result the number of seats that changed hands was the third highest in post war history. This is despite 0/59 Scottish seats changing hands.

Best government for Scotland I think would be a free speech dictatorship. No power to change who's in charge but at least we're still allowed to moan about it. Would save having these pesky elections.

[thetank]

What I like the most about this election is the Daily Mirror's call for tactical voting to stop a privately educated toff being in charge of the country.

gg Daily Mirror, we now have 2 privately educated toffs in charge instead.

[thetank]

BBC Political reporter Laura Kuenssberg is the definition of a rising star. What a watch she has been for five weeks now. Different gravy

She is quality. Though poor lass looks like she could do with a decent nights kip...

Click to see full-size image.

Reporting live on history kicking off takes its toll.

[Josedinho]

Nothing statement from the Lib Dems

[TightEnd]

Nothing statement from the Lib Dems

LibDem MPs playing hard to get

[Bongo]

Thomas, from Peterborough, writes: It's becoming clear to me that British politics is in need of a greater overhaul than even the Lib Dems dare suggest. Separating the English, Scottish and Welsh parliaments is the only measure that will satisfy everyone - England would have a majority Tory government by now, Scotland and Wales Labour ones. Surely the results speak for themselves?

(from the beeb)

Interesting point. It does seem odd to me that Scotland and Wales have their own parliaments but also have MPs who have influence over England. (sure there's a famous name for this problem but I can't remember it now).

Something I thought of:

650 seats in parliament, 649 declared.
326 makes a majority.
Sinn Fein have 5, don't sit in parliament so 645 seats, 323 majority.
Last seat is 'safe' tory so they have 307.

They need 16 more for a majority. If Lib Dems don't do a deal with the Tories could they get a majority from defections/minor parties?

Would some of the more right wing (relatively speaking) and libertarian LDs prefer to work with the Tories than Labour or be tempted by power/ministerial posts?

[TightEnd]

A Lib Dem, Labour, SDLP, Plaid Cymru, SNP coalition hits a majority

How do you fancy that lasting longer than six months though?

[Bongo]

Would the (English) public really be happy to see Welsh and Scottish parties hold the balance of power over England?

I'm Welsh but live in England and it seems messed up to me...

[thetank]

The West Lothian question is the Scottish MPs voting on English only matters iirc.

Problem with Cameron doing deals with nationalists is that their line will not be any policy concessions or anything like that, just an amount of £££. Not to cut the block grant to the devolved governments.
This isn't really in national interest. Cuts will need to be deeper in England to pay for that so he would risk losing the support of the only people who like him at the moment. People in Scotland/Wales will take the money but it'll be Plaid or the SNP that they thank and not Cameron. It's very close to a suicidal move imo.

[Jon MW]

The West Lothian question is the Scottish MPs voting on English only matters iirc.

Problem with Cameron doing deals with nationalists is that their line will not be any policy concessions or anything like that, just an amount of £££. Not to cut the block grant to the devolved governments.
This isn't really in national interest. Cuts will need to be deeper in England to pay for that so he would risk losing the support of the only people who like him at the moment. It's very close to a suicidal move imo.

Plaid Cymru and the SNP are both socialist parties anyway so I'm pretty sure it's a non-starter.

[thetank]

Plaid in particular have said that they'll happily sell out to anyone at the drop of a hat and have already named their price.

The phonecall isn't coming. Or at least I hope it isn't from Cameron. It just can't be justified

[TightEnd]

the phone call would go from Brown to PC (£400m was the price) and SNP...but it would be wildly unpopular with English voters at a time when they will be asked for "austerity" to cut the deficit

[cia260895]

Would the (English) public really be happy to see Welsh and Scottish parties hold the balance of power over England?

I'm Welsh but live in England and it seems messed up to me...

thought it was  UK ELECTION no?

dunno why they dont allow all individual countries run thre own affairs personally then we'd see who does the best job.. or is it all down to £££'s?

[TightEnd]

It's because we are a Union, the United Kingdom. A constitutional point first and foremost, then a matter for politics and finances

[cia260895]

It's because we are a Union, the United Kingdom. A constitutional point first and foremost, then a matter for politics and finances

i understand that,but do you think it would work if we  were all to be self goverened?