Automated Attack Monkeys, Scalpel Mines, & Acid

I'm only going to comment on the bits about life south of the border, cos I don't pay enough attention to Scottish Parliament politics to make any useful comments.

But two things: first re, "Although they may be outnumbered 6 to 1, without them there is no partnership and no majority"

The same can be said of the 50-odd most illiberal / right-wing / term-of-your-choice on the Tory benches though. We aren't getting Lib Dem policy on tuition fees (50-odd MPs elected in favour, versus 560-odd elected on the platform of £15k fees); but equally we aren't withdrawing from Europe, abolishing the minimum wage or what have you that THAT flank of the coalition would no doubt love to be in a position to squeeze through. Get a big-ticket big-cost thing like fees, and what would the quid pro quo have been?

Second, of the option of a short phase of minority Con government for six months or whatever til Cameron won his majority in October 2010. If I remember right, Major didn't have a majority for the last 18 months or whatever it was. How much influence did the Lib Dems have from the opposition benches then? I seem to remember about one Private Members Bill sneaking through and that was all. Watering down Tory proposals and getting none of our own, or getting watered down versions of theirs and ours: I know which I prefer! :)