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A strange day in Westminster.

The coffee bar in Portcullis House, full of MPs with nothing to do.

A new batch of fresh faced arrivals, rushing about being inducted and everything else almost in slow motion.

Talking, talking everywhere but no one really knows anything.

This morning, I'm told, a Labour minister tells others that a Lib Dem alliance with Labour is untenable.

This morning's talks between Lib Dems and Labour seem to come to nothing so the office doors in the House of Commons are open but no work is being done.

Corridors are deserted and the few groups that there are have only one topic on their lips.

The Conservatives are strangely calm.

Conservative Broadland MP, Keith Simpson, tells me that they have their offer on the table and it's up to the Lib Dems to decide what they want.

They seem sanguine, even at the prospect of staying in opposition.

Now it looks like a flurry of activity as possibly a deal is struck.

The Lib Dems have a meeting tonight and the feeling is that we need a government and working with the Conservatives is the only way to get one.

The waiting may soon be over and work here and in the country will resume again.

Many would say not a moment too soon.

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