Nick Clegg offers coalition talks to David Cameron

[jefferson_dem]

Source: TimesOnline (UK)



Nick Clegg rebuffed Labour overtures today and declared that it should be David Cameron and not Gordon Brown who gets the first chance to form a government now that Britain has elected a hung Parliament.

With the Tories set to become the largest force in the Commons but falling 20 seats short of a majority, the Liberal Democrat leader returned to Westminster this morning as a kingmaker - even though his party lost a net seven seats on the night.

As Mr Clegg's car - tracked by rolling news channel helicopters - wended its way through Central London to the party's Cowley Street headquarters, the Prime Minister issued a statement saying that he had authorised the civil service to facilitate coalition talks because no party could now win a majority.

Mr Clegg was quick to respond, reminding reporters that he had consistently argued that it was the party with the most seats and votes that should get first tilt at government rather than the incumbent.

"I stick to that view," he added. "It seems this morning that it is the Conservative Party which has more votes and more seats - although not an absolute majority - which is why I now think that it is the Conservative Party which should seek to govern in the national interest."


Read more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7119359.ece

[craigmatic]

1. Looks like Labour was right a vote for the libdems was a vote for the torries. nt

[grantcart]

14. Not at all - Clegg stated that the principle in a democracy should be

that the party that wins the largest number should have the first bite of the Apple.

And it should.

If the Conservative Party makes major concessions including a referendum on proportional voting and major concessions on policy and cabinet then they can form a government.

If they don't Clegg is free to make the same deal with the Labor who will give him whatever he wants.

If Clegg doesn't get what he wants he should stick by his principles and force a minority government or a new election.

Clegg is now doing exactly what he promised before the election.

A politician keeping his promise - rather refreshing.

[Arkana]

2. So Clegg's decided to play Ralph Nader, has he?

[onehandle]

3. Possibly worse. After Nader helped elect Bush, he could do nothing about it. Clegg could.

He could snub the Conservatives and deal with Labour.

From what I understand, individual MPs could still trip up the Conservative's chance at Downing Street, but I can't see how Clegg is helping.

[Oregone]

6. Thats absurd

It can't be worse, or whatever.

If the Tories go into power and get to big for britches the Lib Dems could simply force another election. There are checks and balances here, and if they form a government together, it forces the Conservatives to play nice with the Liberal Dems (even though they are a small party)

[tritsofme]

17. That works, unless they fear a new election would give Cameron an outright majority.

Should be some interesting times for British politics.

[Oregone]

5. What a lame comparison

He is being consistent. He has previously stated he will not deal with Brown. The people have spoken

[Democat]

4. Nick Clegg afraid of angering the bullies?

Or is he being paid off?

[Oregone]

7. Just some context

Check the date on this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100425-702520.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

"While Clegg ruled out serving under Gordon Brown if Labour finished third, he didn't dismiss the possibility of joining a coalition with Labour if they changed leader after the election.

Clegg said electoral reform isn't just a precondition for joining a coalition but is now "unavoidable." "


A couple of things....

He has been consistent about forming a coalition with Labour. He is not interested unless they change leaders. When the voters take them out of office, it is a sign that their leadership is being rejected by the people.

If he forms a coalition, the electoral reform he gets (from the Tories or Labour) will, in the long run, mitigate any problems such a coalition will probably bring. If he get preferential voting, the Conservatives will never have a shot to win an election in a long time from then.

Its not the end of the world.

[Kelvin Mace]

12. As I see it

He is inviting the Tories to slit the throat of their long term prospects by changing voting rules to a system which is fairer, and will which ultimately favor liberal/progressive candidates, in exchange for the short term goal of a Tory PM.

Works for me.

If they won't play ball, then he'll make the same offer to Labour, but with the proviso that they have to dump Brown.

Still works for me.

[daleo]

8. Bad move by Clegg, I think

Liberal Democrat voters may not have wanted Labour, but I doubt even more that they wanted the Conservatives in power. If he got proportional represenation out of this it would be worth it, but Conservatives intensely despise PR, so I don't see them truly giving in on that point.

[JCMach1]

9. He's offering Cameron the poison pill of electoral reform... if Cameron accepts

Tories will likely be on their asses in a big way next election...

If Cameron rejects the offer, it frees him up to make the offer to Brown without the press howling LOSERS!!!

[daleo]

10. That's an interesting take on it.

If so, I suspect that Cameron will accept, then renege.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. I think that is most likely Clegg's strategy

Cameron has offered negotiations, which hasn't ruled out cabinet seats for Lib Dems - more than just "confidence and supply", which is the most basic form of minority government.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8667938.stm

On voting, he offered an "all party committee of inquiry on political and electoral reform". I think Clegg should say that's not enough - it has to be a referendum. Brown has explicitly offered a referendum:

"The first is the plan to ensure continuing economic stability, where there is substantial common ground, and the plan to carry through far-reaching political reforms, including changes to the voting system.

"Both of us have made clear our commitment to this in our manifestos and the electorate has sent us a very strong message which must be heard.

"My view is clear, there needs to be immediate legislation on this to begin to restore the public trust in politics and to improve Parliament's standing and reputation, a fairer voting system is central.

"And I believe that you the British people should be able to decide in a referendum what the system should be.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/election/gordon-browns-statement-in-full-14799249.html

I hope Clegg demands the referendum from Cameron, and if he refuses, then go to Brown.

[JCMach1]

15. That's the play... also testing to see if Cameron puts personal gain above his party

i.e. how much will Cameron give up to be PM

[Kelvin Mace]

13. If he does...

Clegg withdraws support from the Tories, and new elections are held.

[ikri]

16. Noteably

Cameron has talked about collaboration with the Lib Dems which to me doesn't sound like coalition to me.

In the last few years the Lib Dems have been something of a refuge for Labour and (some) Conservative supporters and a move in either direction could cause a split in the party. Additionally there's the Beveridge Group, a group of Lib Dem MPs (about half of them) who are far closer to the Labour left than most of the Parliamentary Labour Party today. A collaboration with the Tories could trigger the Beveridge Group members to leave causing chaos.

We live in interesting times.