It sounds a bit pretentious, but that's a conflict between tactics and national interest (tories look worse on their own, sure, but the country is also worse of

It sounds a bit pretentious, but that's a conflict between tactics and national interest (tories look worse on their own, sure, but the country is also worse off) and the Lib Dems are choosing the national interest. It could mean we're just stupid, too, I'll grant you.