I think we must be brothers separated at birth, Stu :-) My situation to a tee!

Steve, I am not sure about the picture you paint. It could well happen that whoever forms the government will want to stay in power even if the minority parties can join the opposition and vote them down on certain issues that affect social and economic equality. If that does happen I see the minority parties being a stabilising factor, as the LibDems should have been. I think the SNP would make a far better job of ensuring neither big party gets away with anything too radical than the LDs ever did. OK, I know it is not likely but we can live in hope. Or die in Clay Cross as Musket says...