Rather shockingly, even for the Tories, they've already started talking about booting Cameron out if he cannot form a government (of any stripe, minority, coalition whatever). This would be an extremely unwise idea, with no other viable Tory choices for leader (Osborne having been tainted, if only lightly, by the expenses scandal), but the Tories do have a point that even with the Labour party hugely damaged, a massively unpopular PM and a crippled economy, Cameron was unable to deliver a resounding victory, which should have been a shoe-in.

With Brown likely having to go before another election, that would leave Clegg as the only familiar face in another round of voting, which would not be to the Tories or Labour's advantage.