Now they will lose many of their loyal voters (and let's face it, the Lib Dems don't have many casual voters) because they'll be perceived as having "joined the Dark Side". A confidence and supply arrangement would have made them look better – not tarnished with the Tories' decisions but selfless enough to avoid destabilising the country over their disagreements.

Of course, if the coalition does fall apart, the Lib Dems will get more blame for causing instability than praise for standing up for their principles. Confidence and supply really would have been better for them in the long term, I think.

Speaking of the Dark Side, it seems the Apprentice, Darth Osborne, has finally succeeded the Master, Darth Mandelson. I wonder who the new Apprentice will be.