This has been a remarkable election night. To my mind, there are three big stories out
of the polls.
First, the George Osborne masterminded campaign for a new Conservative majority is on track. AV, barring some shock, has been defeated and the Conservative vote has held up remarkably well in the English local elections. Indeed, right now the Tories have actually gained councilors in England. Add to this that the next election, if the coalition lasts to 2013, will be fought on new constituency boundaries that are more favourable to the Tories and things are looking promising for the party.
The coalition looks secure. Even after last night’s drubbing, the Lib Dem leadership is not considering leaving government. Speaking on the Today programme, Paddy Ashdown tuned down his language of recent days and stressed why the party is in coalition in the first place.
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