Is Cameron the real loser here?

[sandyRoe]

The Tories claimed to have had Brown on the ropes but couldn't deliver the KO punch. Is Cameron's credibility damaged?

[Sqad]

No Cameron is VERY disappointed, but to answer your question, Clegg is the real loser.

The winner.......Brown (for the moment)

[jake-the-peg]

Too early to say - depends on what he does next

If he tries an alliance that falls apart - yes

If he tries a minority government that falls apart - yes

It's going to be a rather interesting year politically

[jno]

I would think so, though perhaps not to the point where they'll dump him and try again (the last few attempts at changing leader have done them no good). A year ago I would have predicted he'd walk this. As it is he will probably end up leading the shakiest government for decades. He and Clegg should be equally disappointed.

Brown will probably feel triumphant, without cause.

[redman41]

I don't think the Voters could trust the Tories enough by voting for them in much larger numbers, even though most people would like to see a fundamental change in the Politics of this country. The Margaret Thatcher Govt still casts a dark shadow for a lot of the Country.

[New Judge]

But strangely the Tories this time got a greater share of the votes cast than Labour did in 2005, when they were left with a majority of 66 seats.

Much of the problem with the electoral system lies not the "first past the post" aspect but the fact that the constituencies vary in size (by population) enormously. English seats have a much larger electorate than Scottish, Welsh or those in Northern Ireland. This means te Tories receive a large number of votes in England but are rewarded with fewer seats.