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Yeah, I guess what I am trying to say in a very cack-handed way is that civil liberties was the last of the Lib Dem unique selling points that they hadnt yet cocked up.

They could say they were the only party to warn about the risks of banking collapse and then welched on that by throwing their lot in with a Tory economic policy which was completely different to what they had been pushing.

They were the only one of the main parties trying hard for electoral reform i.e. AV at the very least, and Cleggie made a complete mess of that once in a generation opportunity.

They had loads of support from students over the student fees issue. And we know what happened there.

And now civil liberties they look as if they are shredding that support.

As for "joining" the Cons what I mean is Cleggie actually resigning from the Lib Dems and accepting a role in a Tory cabinet.

I can see where you are coming from. There could possibly be an upsurge in minority parties winning bye-elections. And as you say, a much higher chance of getting more coalitions.

But, its a funny, old game, politics. Definitely a game of two halves.

I remember Thatcher getting the worst poll ratings for just about any Prime Minister in history. Then later in that parliament, the UK got involved in the Falklands War and she went on to win the next election.

Cleggie appeared on tele and there was a 15% increase in the Lib Dem poll ratings within a week etc etc.

So with 3 years to go, anything can happen and it's all to play for.