Crunch time as rivals bid to take power

ELECTION FALLOUT 2010

Negotiations between the political parties over the shape of the next government were reaching a heightened pitch today, with some sources expecting a conclusion before the end of the day.

Labour and Liberal Democrat teams were set to meet again after commencing formal talks last night on a possible coalition.

And the Lib-Dems are also considering a fresh offer from Conservatives of a referendum on the Alternative Vote voting system for Westminster elections in return for a coalition deal which would put David Cameron in 10 Downing Street.

After four days of discussions following the inconclusive General Election, Lib-Dems and Tories appeared to be heading towards some sort of agreement, when Prime Minister Gordon Brown pulled the rug from under his rivals’ feet with the announcement that he was standing down as Labour leader.

Mr Brown revealed he had been approached by Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg for formal talks over a possible deal with Labour and made clear he was ready to stay on as PM in a power–sharing coalition until a successor as Labour leader could be chosen.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas said: “The Prime Minister had expected the results of last week’s election and he has carried out this duty. We will have a new Labour leader by September but at the moment we do not know who the Government will be. I will be talking to the candidates to see what is in the best interest of Oldham.”

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher said: “I think it is the right thing for him to stand down. Gordon has shown remarkable resilience and dignity in the face of the most systematic hostility that any Prime Minister has had to face for a very long time.

“I think we should respect his stand but it clearly is now time for a new leader who can renew the Labour party.

“What the Labour party must not do is replace a New Labour leader with another person who has the same policy programme.”

Ashton MP David Heyes said: “Gordon has done the right and decent thing. The way is now clear for serious discussions with the Lib-Dems about a possible government whose priority would be to tackle the economic crisis. It would represent more than half of those who voted and could be a real alternative to the nightmare prospect of a very right-wing Tory administration.”

Liberal Democrat energy and climate change spokesman Simon Hughes expressed his hope that a deal could be reached today — with either the Conservatives or Labour.

Mr Hughes indicated that the Lib-Dems were holding out for further concessions from Labour as the price for a centre–left coalition.

“Labour need to think further and go further before there will be any prospect of any arrangement with them,” he said. “I think we know what the Conservatives’ offer is, they’ve made public what they are saying about a referendum on a form of change to the voting system.”

Tory leader David Cameron insisted today that it was “decision time” for the Liberal Democrats. Mr Cameron appealed to Mr Clegg to make “the right decision”.

He said: “My own Members of Parliament have shown that they are prepared to put aside party interest in the national interest by agreeing a referendum on the Alternative Vote.


Bookmakers Paddy Power declared David Miliband the short-priced favourite at 4/6 to be the new Labour leader.