As the dust settles on the UK elections, it’s time to take stock of what lies ahead for David Cameron. His tasks are daunting.

As polls close in the UK, we will have rolling commentary as the results start coming in.

For all the speeches by politicians and the analysis of pundits, no-one really has a clue what will happen in Thursday’s election. History, however, suggests a few ways things could go.

As the Liberal Democrats head to what looks like a bruising defeat in next month’s elections, Nick Clegg may not even get to hold on to his seat in Parliament, despite what historians may end up seeing as a laudable stint in government.

A lasting legacy for a minor party may not always come through the holding of power, but by how successfully it forces a major party to alter course. That is likely to be UKIP’s contribution to history.

Tony Blair made his return to the political limelight to issue a broadside to Conservative dalliances with euroskepticism. His deft political touch is still in evidence.

At Thursday’s UK election debates, Nicola Sturgeon’s strong performance was the latest stage in a remarkable turnaround for the SNP.

The thing is, expectations were pretty low to begin with. Can he keep the momentum?

Competency at managing the economy during a rough few years, and a stable and familiar hand at the helm: that’s the pitch Conservatives—and to a certain extent the Liberal Democrats—have for the United Kingdom’s voters in a few weeks.