Polls still do not indicate that the Conservatives will earn a clear majority of seats in Parliament later this week. The assumption has been that, in such a situation, Tory leader David Cameron would seek a coalition with the Liberal Democrats in return for a pledge of support for proportional representation--what the Lib Dems consider "reform".
But now it appears that Cameron may be willing to form a minority government, much as Stephen Harper's Conservatives have done--with considerable success--in Canada. They key is that the other parties, though they may have the votes to bring down the Government in such a situation, will be afraid to do so. The public, after all, will not be eager for another election any time soon.
Nick Clegg of the Lib Dems seems to be ruling out a coalition with the Conservatives. And David Cameron is likewise arguing against a coalition with the Liberals.
All this assumes, of course, that the Tories do not win an outright majority. Voters are apathetic (or depressed) and want "change". That should help Cameron. But as of this weekend, he hasn't closed the sale.
Some Conservatives remain unenthusiastic about Cameron, seeing him as a Tory Tony Blair. Peter Hitchens thinks Cameron is so unreliable that true blue Tories should not vote for his party this time, in hopes of picking up the pieces after he's gone.
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