The new Labour leader will have to decide whether taunting the Lib Dems is worth it

James Forsyth reviews the week in politics

In the last parliament, it was Tory MPs who were the odd ones out at Westminster. While they socialised among themselves, Labour and Liberal Democrat members could regularly be seen in each other’s company. As the prospect of a hung parliament loomed, this fraternising stepped up. By contrast, the few Liberal Democrats who had Tory friends tended to cut off contact as the campaign progressed. One Lib Dem spokesman took his Tory opposite number out to dinner a few days before it began and told him regretfully that he couldn’t see him anymore and that he’d no longer be able to admit how much he agreed with him.

But then came those five days in May. Now, Labour MPs delight in shunning the Liberal Democrats. When some new Labour members went to dinner in the Commons recently they saw Ming Campbell, who is visibly uncomfortable about the coalition, dining alone.