This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8669508.stm

The article has changed 31 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Clegg considering Cameron offer Clegg considering Cameron offer
(about 1 hour later)
Nick Clegg has met senior Lib Dem MPs to discuss a power-sharing offer from the Tories, after the UK election resulted in a hung parliament. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is meeting his MPs and peers to discuss a power-sharing offer from the Conservatives.
He stressed his priorities, including "fundamental political reform", but said they would act in a "constructive spirit" in the "coming hours and days". The Tories won most votes in the UK election but were short of a majority - Gordon Brown remains PM while Tories see if they can form a government.
The Tories won most seats but were short of a majority and are asking for Lib Dem support to form a government. Mr Clegg also spoke to the PM by phone on Friday. He has offered talks if Lib Dems cannot agree with the Tories.
Gordon Brown and Mr Clegg spoke on the phone on Friday, the BBC has learned. Mr Clegg, Mr Brown and Tory leader David Cameron appeared together at the Cenotaph for VE Day celebrations.
But there are conflicting reports about the conversation, with one senior Lib Dem source saying Mr Brown had ranted at Mr Clegg and another telling the BBC it had been a perfectly amicable conversation. The Lib Dem leader has met senior Lib Dem MPs and is now meeting his wider parliamentary party to sound them out about the options, after the UK election resulted in a hung parliament.
Lib Dem talks 'Constructive spirit'
Downing Street sources said the call had been the appropriate constitutional approach, lasted less than 40 minutes and concentrated on "process". Mr Brown, who remains prime minister, has publicly invited the Lib Dems to talk to Labour, if talks with the Conservatives fail. He will meet his party's governing body, the federal executive, later to discuss Mr Cameron's proposals. He will need the support of a majority of MPs and the executive to enter into any deal.
All three party leaders are attending the VE Day ceremony in Whitehall. Entering talks this morning Mr Clegg has stressed his priorities, including "fundamental political reform", but said they would act in a "constructive spirit" in the "coming hours and days".
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg: "People deserve good, stable government"Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg: "People deserve good, stable government"
The BBC understands some Labour members are already talking to their Lib Dem counterparts to try to persuade them that a deal with the Tories would be a disaster. 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.
Mr Clegg met his frontbench MPs at 1030 BST and will meet his wider parliamentary party and his party's governing body, the federal executive, later to discuss Mr Cameron's proposals in the wake of the first general election to deliver a hung parliament since 1974.
He will need the support of a majority of MPs and the executive to enter into any deal.
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.
'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".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.
We will also make sure we don't betray our principles Simon HughesLib Dems class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8669045.stm">Analysis: The price of a deal class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8666221.stm">Election 2010: At-a-glance 'Progressive' coalition
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".
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 frontbencher Peter Hain said it was "clear" that Mr Clegg and Mr Brown had "a lot in common" on the need for electoral reform - Labour has offered a referendum on changing the voting system.
'No small victory' It would seem to me very strange... if the government of the UK was held to ransom over an issue that the voters did not see as their priority Liam FoxConservatives class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8669045.stm">Analysis: The price of a deal class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8666221.stm">Election 2010: At-a-glance class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8667801.stm">Poll Watch: Were they accurate? class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8668232.stm">Analysis: Deal or no deal? class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8667938.stm">Cameron offers deal to Lib Dems
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. And his colleague 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.
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." The Lib Dems have denied suggestions from a senior Lib Dem source of an angry phone conversation between Mr Brown and Mr Clegg. A Lib Dem spokeswoman said it was "perfectly amicable".
ELECTION SPECIAL David Dimbleby will present a hung parliament special at midday on BBC One. class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8667801.stm">Poll Watch: Were they accurate? class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8668232.stm">Analysis: Deal or no deal? class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8667938.stm">Cameron offers deal to Lib Dems Downing Street said it lasted 40 minutes and concentrated on "process".
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. Voting system
Mr Brown has publicly invited the Lib Dems to talk to Labour, if talks with the Conservatives fail.
The BBC understands some Labour members are already talking to their Lib Dem counterparts to try to persuade them that a deal with the Tories would be a disaster.
Mr Cameron will also 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.
He has offered an "all party committee of inquiry on political and electoral reform" but has not offered a referendum on changing the voting system.
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."
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 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.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.
Are you a Conservative or a Liberal Democrat supporter? What is your reaction to a possible coalition? Send us your comments.Are you a Conservative or a Liberal Democrat supporter? What is your reaction to a possible coalition? Send us your comments.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions