(Thumbnail Image: The Guardian)

"This has obviously been a disappointing night for the Liberal Democrats. We simply haven't achieved what we had hoped." (Telegraph)

Drama has overtaken British elections.  Conservatives are the big winner.  Labour the big loser.  And the other big loser, the Liberal Democrats, behind charismatic leader Nick Clegg, still have a chance to forever change British politics.

First, to the results.  Nearly a 100 seat gain for Conservatives. But not enough to form a majority government.  Enter Clegg and the Liberal Democrats.  If Clegg agrees to form an unlikely alliance with Conservatives, the government is legitimized.  If they cannot agree, Labour and the LibDems could form a government of the losers but still without a majority.  Until it is resolved, Labour's Gordon Brown remains in power at Number 10 Downing Street. (BBC)

First to Nick Clegg's stunning loss.  He was expected to challenge Cameron and Brown for seats.  Instead, the Liberal Democrats lost nine seats.  The Telegraph calls Clegg Britain's "Biggest Loser."

"The final outcome of the general election is still to be decided, but one thing is certain — this has been a disastrous and humiliating night for Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats." 

The Khaleej Times notes, at one point early in the campaign, fully a third of Britons didn't even know who Clegg was, until the televised debates. But fame didn't translate.

"At the height of “Cleggmania”, the 43-year-old was named the most popular British party leader since Winston Churchill...But it did not last."

Even in his stunning loss, Clegg holds a trump card.  If he can form a coalition government with either Conservatives or Labour he win's big.  What will it take?  Here's the BBC.

"You would want a firm commitment from the Conservative government that it would, at the very least, offer a referendum on electoral reform.  Proportional representation is an important plank in the Liberal Democrats view of how the country's politics should be re-ordered."

The Guardian's Anne Perkins points out the irony in this election.  Even though Conservatives won a huge victory in gaining seats, they could still end up the loser unless they play nice with the heretofore marginalized LibDems.

"But the longer David Cameron is politely barred from Downing Street, the more such momentum as he has from winning the most votes and the most seats ebbs away. Meanwhile, Brown is holding out to Clegg what could be the last best chance of getting voting reform this generation."

Should this election convince Britons to change the political process?  Or is the process working?

Writer: Newsy Staff