We have to seal the deal with the Conservatives

Whilst a coalition with the Conservatives is something I personally find uncomfortable, a Lib Dem/Con coalition still remains the only lasting show in town. A coalition with Labour would see a government constantly on a knife edge. It would be difficult also to win acceptance of the nation for a coalition in which the identity of the Prime Minister will not be sorted until September. The nation's verdict in the election was not clear but it is fair to say that most people see Labour as the defeated party so leaving them to lead the government for the next four or five years is something the nation will find difficult to accept.

Even if a Lib Dem/Labour coalition were to come about, it would face considerable difficulties from within Labour's ranks. Some in the Labour leadership may talk of a "Progressive Alliance", but there are plenty in the Labour party would do not carry the "Progressive" tag with ease. Many of them will not support voting reform and will be tempted to abstain or vote against as a way of bringing down the coalition. They would prefer the comfort of opposition, especially with difficult spending decisions needing to be made.

So, the only show in town that will give our country a secure government with some opportunity of winning reform is a Lib Dem/Conservative coalition. Nick and the Parliamentary Party need to seal the deal and do it today.