From: Gene McAloon 

I don't see and would not want to imply that the Lib Dems doing well, even
unexpectedly well, in by-elections to possibly lead to a coalition
government. I
don't expect them to do that well in a national election any time soon.

But at least if the present trend holds up, they might possibly become the
leading opposition party. If nothing else, that would tend to force Labour
a bit
to the left from its present position as Maggie's ideological successor.

On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 15:36:51 +0200, Phil Payne
 wrote:

>Traditionally the Lib-Dems are a protest vote party at national level,
>though they're quite a force at local level in some areas.
>
>But this situation is interesting.  The Tories largely supported Labour in
>going to war, and certainly made no attempt to be a critical opposition.
>It looks very much like the war will be the definitive issue at the next
>General Election, with anti-war feeling growing day by day in the UK.  The
>Tories have no cards to play, and Labour are to get a bloody nose.
>
>So what will the Lib-Dems achieve?  A first-past-the-post system tends to
>swing violently when voting is about equal - could we see a coalition
>Government in the UK?  Traditionally they've been shunned - most party
>leaders would rather go straight back to the country for another vote.

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