The mood in the Lib Dem heartlands

As their party's top MPs decide how to form Britain's next government, Liberal Democrat party members must watch anxiously from the sidelines.

The West has always been good for the party; and while Election 2010 was disappointing nationally, in this region they fared well.

Votes for nearly all sitting MPs rose, they won the new seat of Chippenham, and took Wells from the Conservatives.

It has been a rollercoaster of a ride since then, but this is a journey with real dangers.

Members I talked to in Somerset all voiced support for their party leader.

But it's not long before apprehensions appear - especially about putting their old foe into power.

One local party chairman said she viewed the prospect of a Conservative - Lib Dem coalition "with great horror".

Others described how it went against the grain of their campaigning in an area where it's a two-horse race with the Tories.

But all emphasised that electoral reform was THE top priority.

If, as looks likely, that comes, they'll have to get used to making deals with other parties.