As good as the night was for the SNP, it was terrible for the Lib Dems. The night started with an air of incredulity about the exit poll but it soon became clear the Lib Dems were facing a serious challenge which then turned into a decimation. The SNP on the other hand were delivering swings from Labour the likes of which have never been seen in elections.
The success of the SNP has changed the nature of the third party in Westminster.
The SNP have suggested that it will take an active role in voting which will ensure that the Conservatives try to bring forward proposals for ‘English votes’ as a matter of priority.
They could also adopt a much more oppositional approach and will seek to utilise the positions they will now have on Parliamentary committees. They could try and make as much noise as possible and be as much of an annoyance as possible.
This will doubtless be linked to how the new Government is seen to treat Scotland and the devolution agenda. Given that Labour is unlikely to win back Parliamentary seats in Scotland for some time, a new leader may take a more conciliatory role towards the SNP. The progressive parties may come together to challenge the Government but with Cameron’s majority in place it is unlikely to be too effective.
The Lib Dems meanwhile no longer have the number of members needed to be a serious force in the Commons. Instead their strength will be in the House of Lords where they have over 100 members and in the standing and experience of their few MPs.
Their emphasis will be on rebuilding their local bases so that they can start the long path back to national importance. They have done it before and they can do it again but they need committed activists and wins in local authorities. It is just not clear whether that activist base exists any longer with sufficient numbers.
The SNP group will work together very closely and their discipline will doubtless be strong. The size of their electoral mandate is impressive and they will throw this at the Conservatives at regular intervals. There are fundamental differences between the SNP and the Conservatives on a range of issues but look to the EU process as a particular pressure point.
With Labour, the Lib Dems and UKIP all looking for new leaders, the SNP have an ideal opportunity to make themselves a huge force in Westminster and more widely. Despite having less seats, they could fill the vacuum left by a leaderless Labour party and set the political agenda for the opposition.
They will certainly not be quiet or deferential.