Mr. Blair looked in control throughout and only the nakedly socialist Lib Dem Mr. Kennedy made inroads as Labour voters rallied to his call to increase taxes for more and better public services. And it was not a general, as in national, election. It used to be that every party made a good effort in every seat. There is also a second tacit agreement between Labour and the Lib Dems. This is that where Lib Dems lie second to a sitting Conservative, Labour will not fight and likewise when Labour lies second to a sitting Conservative.
Tactical voting is now clearly part of the game.
It gave the Lib Dems another small increase in seats despite an 18-year fall in votes. Finally there was the issue of the safety of high-profile members of the two big parties. Purely stage-managed events seem to be the way ahead. The immediate battle will be the Euro, the single currency. First Mr Blair will have to decide on whether or not to hold a referendum.