Tories: is it 290+ MPs or bust?
If the Tories get above 290 MPs they plan to give it a go walking back through the door of No 10 with the strong intention of staying put.
David Cameron will say either (depending on the numbers and the willingness of potential partners to pick up the phone) “I’m chatting to the Lib Dems and the DUP” or “I’m the guy with the most seats and votes and therefore I should govern even if it is alone” (ushering in a minority government).
In the latter case in particular he would have to shift quickly (as he did in 2010) from partisan language to “reaching out/consensus” language and try to add an additional rhetorical layer of legitimacy to his claim on the top job.
He would also face a mighty challenge from the Labour leadership if they felt they could command a majority in the Commons.