following the 2007 election, with the snp emerging the largest party by one seat but short of an overall majority, it held discussions with the scottish green party and also intimated that it would be open to discussions with the liberal democrats. however, since the liberal democrats had indicated that they would not enter discussions with parties which continued to favour a referendum on independence, no formal talks were held: the snp became a minority administration and nicol led his party to the opposition benches.