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Top Lib Dems discussing Tory deal Top Lib Dems discussing Tory deal
(20 minutes later)
Nick Clegg is meeting senior Lib Dem MPs to discuss a power-sharing offer from the Tories, after the UK election resulted in a hung parliament.Nick Clegg is meeting senior Lib Dem MPs to discuss a power-sharing offer from the Tories, after the UK election resulted in a hung parliament.
He indicated a deal is not imminent and said they would talk to other parties in a "constructive spirit". He said they would talk to other parties in a "constructive spirit" over the "coming hours and days".
The Conservatives won most seats but not enough to secure a majority and are looking to the third-biggest party for support to form a government.The Conservatives won most seats but not enough to secure a majority and are looking to the third-biggest party for support to form a government.
If it fails, Gordon Brown has invited the Lib Dems to talk to Labour.If it fails, Gordon Brown has invited the Lib Dems to talk to Labour.
Mr Clegg began meeting his frontbench MPs at 1030 BST and will meet his wider parliamentary party at 1200 BST to discuss Mr Cameron's proposals in the wake of the first general election to deliver a hung parliament since 1974. The party's federal executive - its governing body - will meet at 1700 BST. Mr Clegg began meeting his frontbench MPs at 1030 BST and will meet his wider parliamentary party at 1200 BST to discuss Mr Cameron's proposals in the wake of the first general election to deliver a hung parliament since 1974.
The party's federal executive - its governing body - will meet at 1700 BST.
Voting systemVoting system
The BBC understands it will be a wide ranging discussion and the Lib Dems are not expected to decide on any deal. Mr Cameron has also headed to Conservative headquarters.The BBC understands it will be a wide ranging discussion and the Lib Dems are not expected to decide on any deal. Mr Cameron has also headed to Conservative headquarters.
The Lib Dem leader is likely to face opposition from some within his own party to doing a deal with the Conservatives - and Mr Cameron will face a battle from some Conservatives if he allows senior Lib Dems to serve in a Conservative-led cabinet or bows to demands for change the voting system.The Lib Dem leader is likely to face opposition from some within his own party to doing a deal with the Conservatives - and Mr Cameron will face a battle from some Conservatives if he allows senior Lib Dems to serve in a Conservative-led cabinet or bows to demands for change the voting system.
We will also make sure we don't betray our principles Simon HughesLib Dems Analysis: The price of a deal Election 2010: At-a-glanceWe will also make sure we don't betray our principles Simon HughesLib Dems Analysis: The price of a deal Election 2010: At-a-glance
As he entered the talks Mr Clegg said the election result meant politicians had to talk to each other as "people deserve good, stable government".As he entered the talks Mr Clegg said the election result meant politicians had to talk to each other as "people deserve good, stable government".
He said the Lib Dems would enter into talks with other parties in a "constructive spirit" over the "coming hours and days" - implying that a deal is unlikely on Saturday.He said the Lib Dems would enter into talks with other parties in a "constructive spirit" over the "coming hours and days" - implying that a deal is unlikely on Saturday.
He did not take any questions, but said the party would press its case for its four priorities - tax reform to make the system fairer, a "new approach" to education to give a "fair start" to all children and to the economy and "fundamental political reform to our political system".He did not take any questions, but said the party would press its case for its four priorities - tax reform to make the system fairer, a "new approach" to education to give a "fair start" to all children and to the economy and "fundamental political reform to our political system".
'Progressive' coalition'Progressive' coalition
Electoral reform is likely to be a key battleground - the Lib Dems have long campaigned for the first-past-the-post system to be replaced with a form of proportional representation. The Conservatives oppose changing the voting system.Electoral reform is likely to be a key battleground - the Lib Dems have long campaigned for the first-past-the-post system to be replaced with a form of proportional representation. The Conservatives oppose changing the voting system.
Labour minister Ben Bradshaw told the BBC it was "not credible" that the Lib Dems would do a deal with the Conservatives without the promise of electoral reform.Labour minister Ben Bradshaw told the BBC it was "not credible" that the Lib Dems would do a deal with the Conservatives without the promise of electoral reform.
ELECTION SPECIAL David Dimbleby will present a hung parliament special at midday on BBC One. Poll Watch: Were they accurate? Analysis: Deal or no deal? Cameron offers deal to Lib DemsELECTION SPECIAL David Dimbleby will present a hung parliament special at midday on BBC One. Poll Watch: Were they accurate? Analysis: Deal or no deal? Cameron offers deal to Lib Dems
He said Gordon Brown could remain prime minister in a "progressive" coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats, if their talks with the Tories failed.He said Gordon Brown could remain prime minister in a "progressive" coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats, if their talks with the Tories failed.
He added: "I think the fact that we have deprived the Conservatives of a majority is no small victory for Gordon Brown."He added: "I think the fact that we have deprived the Conservatives of a majority is no small victory for Gordon Brown."
Mr Cameron offered an "all party committee of inquiry on political and electoral reform" but has not offered a referendum on changing the voting system - something Mr Brown has pledged if Labour remain in power.Mr Cameron offered an "all party committee of inquiry on political and electoral reform" but has not offered a referendum on changing the voting system - something Mr Brown has pledged if Labour remain in power.
Senior Conservative Liam Fox told the BBC: "It would seem to me very strange in an election that was dominated by the economy...if the government of the UK was held to ransom over an issue that the voters did not see as their priority."Senior Conservative Liam Fox told the BBC: "It would seem to me very strange in an election that was dominated by the economy...if the government of the UK was held to ransom over an issue that the voters did not see as their priority."
'No free-for-all''No free-for-all'
He admitted politicians were "constrained" by the range of views within the party but said the question was whether the parties would focus on their similarities to provide a "stable government for the country" or whether "elements within the parties" would be allowed to focus on their differences.He admitted politicians were "constrained" by the range of views within the party but said the question was whether the parties would focus on their similarities to provide a "stable government for the country" or whether "elements within the parties" would be allowed to focus on their differences.
He said that was not "a free-for-all for politicians cobbling deals after the election".He said that was not "a free-for-all for politicians cobbling deals after the election".
"The Conservatives are the biggest party, we've got the biggest proportion of the vote and it's reasonable that a programme would be followed that put the larger part of our manifesto into place.""The Conservatives are the biggest party, we've got the biggest proportion of the vote and it's reasonable that a programme would be followed that put the larger part of our manifesto into place."
The Tories secured 306 of the 649 constituencies contested on 6 May. It leaves the party just short of the 326 MPs needed for an outright majority, with the Thirsk and Malton seat - where the election was postponed after the death of a candidate - still to vote.The Tories secured 306 of the 649 constituencies contested on 6 May. It leaves the party just short of the 326 MPs needed for an outright majority, with the Thirsk and Malton seat - where the election was postponed after the death of a candidate - still to vote.
Labour finished with 258 MPs, down 91, the Lib Dems 57, down five, and other parties 28. The Conservatives got 36.1% of votes (up 3.8%), Labour 29.1% (down 6.2%) and the Lib Dems 23% (up 1%).Labour finished with 258 MPs, down 91, the Lib Dems 57, down five, and other parties 28. The Conservatives got 36.1% of votes (up 3.8%), Labour 29.1% (down 6.2%) and the Lib Dems 23% (up 1%).
Past practice under Britain's unwritten constitution involves the sitting prime minister in a hung Parliament having the right to make the first attempt at forming a ruling coalition.Past practice under Britain's unwritten constitution involves the sitting prime minister in a hung Parliament having the right to make the first attempt at forming a ruling coalition.
But Mr Clegg - whose party did worse than in 2005 despite favourable opinion polls - said that he believed the Tories had gained the "first right" to attempt to form a government in the "national interest".But Mr Clegg - whose party did worse than in 2005 despite favourable opinion polls - said that he believed the Tories had gained the "first right" to attempt to form a government in the "national interest".
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