Looking on from afar, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with a coalition of the Lib/Dems and the Cons. Most of the countries in Europe have some sort of formal/informal coalition and they (well some) seem to govern themselves OK. Coalitions amongst democracies are probably the rule now rather than the exception. Even within the same political parties there seems to be a wide divergence of views - left wing, centre, right wing etc etc. The right wing of the Lib/Dems is probably "righter" than the left wing of the Conservative Party!!
Historically when governments (in all countries) have had large majorities they have ended up being dictatorial - just look at Blair and Thatcher, neither had any regard for democracy. I quite like the idea of coalitions - it forces some restraint on all parties.
Surely the Libs/Dems/Cons will be big enough to cope with the odd difference of opinion and not go rushing off to the polls as soon as they cant agree on the price of a cup of tea in The Commons Canteen.
Personally I hope that the Lib/Dems get their way with electoral reform for the UK and maybe go a bit further and have compulsory voting with the ability to abstain (eg none of the *******s deserve a vote with appropriate consequences for failed candidates - guillotine??), at least you get the government you deserve!! One of my pet likes is the ability to "vote out" a sitting MP - with (say) 66% of an electorate voting to dismiss an encumbant they are straight out - no passing GO and collecting pensions for life, just a big fat zero like any other employee who does a crap job.
