What happens if the Conservatives lose?

With the likes of Douglas Murray and Norman Tebbit mulling over the possibility of the David Cameron project failing and not taking the Tories back into government, the question really must be asked: what happens if the Conservatives lose at the General Election?

Just a few short months ago I was of the opinion that David Cameron was almost certain to become the next Prime Minister. I guess that exposed my lack of years. Because the prospect of Cameron becoming PM is a very uncertain one.

The Tories have been wavering in the polls and unlike many, I think Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats would much, much rather prefer to work with Labour in a coalition government than with Cameron. Both parties are more obviously centre-left and the LibDems would need to be part of a government that achieved things rather than squabble and horse trade, as it would be their greatest ever chance. There is also the small matter of Labour being much more receptive on the issue of Proportional Representation than the Tories.

If such a situation did occur, it would surely be time for the dozens of disgruntled backbenchers to step in.They have shut up to give Cameron the best possible opportunity to get the Conservatives back into government, but if he fails then I predict a parliamentary riot. The EU, environment, taxation and education are all issues that represent ticking time bombs in the Tory Party. If Cameron wins the election he may demonstrate to those inclined to oppose his policies that he is a man worth putting up with.

If however he fails to thrash a disastrous, loathed Prime Minister in Gordon Brown then Cameron will have lost the General Election because of his "centre ground" shift. It will prove comprehensively that as bad as one choice may be, it is simply not enough in politics to stand talking pretty with sound bites that have very ideological coherence little behind them. And it will be a crushing result for a Conservative Party which I'm sure would clash internally on its way forward like never before, after clutching defeat from the jaws of victory.