So this is where we've landed in the wake of one of the craziest general elections in memory...

The people of Britain have rejected Gordon Brown as their Prime Minister - but they don't really fancy David Cameron either.

And the temptation to take a chance with the telegenic Nick Clegg was ultimately choked by the fear among too many that it would prove to be a wasted vote.

It all leaves the key to number ten in the hands of the chap who came third - and there is a lot of talking still to be done before he decides what to do with it.

With the Tories winning the biggest number of seats, it is right that Mr Clegg explores options with Mr Cameron first - but a deal will be hard won.

It will hinge on Mr Cameron being serious about looking at proportional representation, and that is a proposition many Tories will not countenance.

Yet it is even harder to envisage a future for Mr Brown as PM. Even with the Lib Dems on board, he would have to scramble round for support elsewhere.

And what would we be left with? A weak mish-mash of a government, with Scottish, Irish and Welsh MPs demanding protection for their own public services.

The North-East, with its heavy reliance on the public sector, would find itself even more vulnerable as a result.

Britain has found itself in a political quagmire and it needs to be turned into a government on a stable footing as quickly as possible if we are to avoid further turmoil on the money markets.

And the way the election numbers have stacked up, a government led by David Cameron now appears to be the best way to serve the national interest.