Wow! I've missed loads tonight!
My tuppence worth:
I think Nick Clegg is in a very very difficult position. The lib dems could be in big trouble on the basis of this.
If Clegg chooses to form a coalition with the Tories there will be a huge number of unhappy grass roots lib dem members. The grass roots Lib Dems are generally to the left of Clegg and the grass roots Tories are to the right of Cameron - getting agreement will not be easy! There is no way the barmy Tory backbenchers will vote in favour of electoral reform, anything linked to Europe or immigration etc and their votes will be needed. I'd be surprised (and horrified) if Lib Dem MPs would vote for some of the more contraversial Tory policies either.
I think Clegg would prefer a coalition with Labour (especially as Brown has already said yes to a referendum) but this isn't enough. It would require other party agreement as well which would be costly (SNP would want money for Scotland in return for agreements, Plaid Cymru for Wales etc.etc). This wont be popular either as the lib/lab coalition will be constantly held to ransom.
I think the only way forward is for Clegg NOT to make any formal coalitions but to take agreement on a policy by policy basis. I think he'd survive a lib/lab coalition but a lib/Tory one would be a disaster.
Imagine the Labour posters next election (which would be soon as there is no way the coalition would last) - Cameron and Clegg shaking hands.Enough said. A large number of Lib Dem voters would think twice about voting yellow again!
On the subject of who calls the election, the Prime Minister goes to the Queen to state that he feels an election is required. This can be because he feels the need (or the term has run out as in this current election) or on the basis of a vote of no confidence. I think the Queen may technically be able to call an election but she wouldn't do so unless the PM had requested it. She is also technically allowed to put anyone as PM if I recall but unless it's the elected one she obviously wouldn't do so!
It's a very interesting time. I suspect that either the Tories will form a minority government which will last a short time (there are some policies which are both Tory and lib dem so these could go through), or there will be a lib/tory coalition which will last until the first contraversial decision is made! Either way, I foresee a re-election in the near future which will lead to some very tactical voting I would guess! All we know is that something has to happen by May 25th or the Queen's speech will be very short indeed
