Though Thailand's quirky opinion polls must be treated with caution, most predict that the PPP will win comfortably more seats than its nearest rival, the Democrats, although not a majority.

ECONOMIST: Heading for uncertainty

Although their devolved powers do not include immigration, a majority from all the parties is vehemently opposed to Mr Tyson's visit.

ECONOMIST: Punch-up | The

When the elections do come, UMNO members are confident that the ruling coalition will retain its two-thirds majority, although they do not expect a repeat of the 1995 landslide victory, in which Barisan won five-sixths of the parliamentary seats.

CNN: PARTY ON THE MOVE

Although the government theoretically has a small majority in parliament, Mr Thapa was not sure he could count on the loyalty of all his notional supporters.

ECONOMIST: Nepal

The parties put forward a petition of concern which meant that, although a majority of MLAs voted for the amendment, it still did not have sufficient cross-community backing.

BBC: NI Assembly fails in bid to change abortion law

But the seats fell as they did in 2011, and although Labour have carefully concentrated on giving every impression of being a majority government when they're not, it means there are tricky times coming down the road when the big and complex pieces of legislation start to flow.

BBC: State of Play 4 - Labour