The Scotsman today has a real story on the elections in an interview with Nicol Stephen ("Lib Dem leader insists largest party has authority").  In it he says two things of particular interest. a) He would only negotiate a coalition with the largest party; and b) the top three Lib Dem policies in the negotiation would be more time in the school curriculum for physical exercise, a revolution in renewables and 100 new health centres dedicated to preventative health.

These comments will certainly be recalled shortly after next Thursday.  However, they might also prove relevant after the next General Election.  With a hung parliament more likely now than at any post-war UK election talk of coalitions is bound to be in the air.  Would Ming Campbell agree with Stephen's assertion that:

"The largest party, in my view, has the moral authority to seek to form a government, whether it's a minority or through coalition, and that's a simple, straightforward, obvious position."

And if Ming did, would he say so?

Also in today's news

• If you feel all the talk of elections is cheap and you yearn for some policy (and philosophical) substance, read Dominic Lawson's provocative "Prison works and it is neither cruel nor vengeful to say so" in The Independent.
• If, however, you revel in the cheap election talk there is more available on Scottish elections in this week's Economist ("Oil Slick");
• If you prefer to stick local click to "This vehicle is reversing", also in the Economist;
  
• If you continue to look across the channel for your election inspiration The Times serves up more Sergo vs Sarko in "Socialists fear risky strategy as Royal courts the Centre"
  
• If you are into American Primaries The Times serves up news from the Democrats at "Clinton edges ahead after first Democratic debate" and from the Republicans with the "America's imaginary Law and Order candidate." This covers the Fred Thomson candidacy which we blogged about last week.  It is also the best-written piece of the day:

"The excitement around Mr Thompson reveals not just a dissatisfaction with the available Republican contenders, but a much larger escapism on the part of voters, anxious to flee the present-day horrors of real-life Washington. Barack Obama, suddenly now becoming the leading Democratic contender, may not have acted in any movies but his message of hope and change offers the same idealised blank slate for Democrats disillusioned by their own tired and uninspiring leaders."

Also - we should note that last week we wrongly stated that Thompson wasn't Christian. This was incorrect and we're happy to clear that up long before Mr Thompson's lawyers get hold of us!