The Conservatives and Labour continued to court the Liberal Democrats in private meetings on the day when new MPs flooded into the palace of Westminster to begin their parliamentary careers.
Many were reduced to following events on the televisions as secret negotiations continued into the evening.
Behind the scenes the parties struggled to keep their rank-and-file informed and on-board.
On hand to talk us through it is live-blogger and senior political correspondent Andrew Sparrow. He says there is all to play for and, although a Lib-Con deal is believed to be close, a deal between Labour and the Liberal Democrats is still an option.
We also hear from new MPs including Joe Johnson, Conservative member for Orpington (and brother of Boris). And from some older hands who have survived the election cull- including Oscar-winning MP for Hampstead Glenda Jackson.
Jon Dennis has been hearing from voters in Southwark, south London on how the backroom dealing is received by the public. And in Yeovil in Somerset, Steven Morris hears from concerned Liberal Democrat supporters who fear their party may sell its soul.
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