Breaking: Gordon Brown Is Finally Down
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LONDON (AP) – UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he will resign by September.
LONDON (AP) – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he wants his Labour Party to govern in coalition with the Liberal Democrats—and he’ll step down within months if that happens.
Brown offered to quit in a bid to tempt the third-place Liberal Democrats to form an alliance with second-place Labour, not the Conservatives, who won the most seats in Thursday’s election but not a majority.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
LONDON (AP)—A senior lawmaker with Britain’s Liberal Democrat Party says no deal has been reached yet with the Conservative Party in their attempts to form a new government.
Lawmaker David Laws said Monday that the Liberal Democrats are seeking clarification on a proposed deal with the Conservatives, who won the most seats in Thursday’s national vote but not a majority in Parliament. The sticking points are education, tax and electoral reform.
Laws said there has been extensive debate among party members because the party needs to “make sure we get these matters right.”
He also said the Liberal Democrats are still speaking with the Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
STATE OF PLAY: Brown to quit in last-ditch attempt at Lib/Lab deal
5.20pm An act of desperation
Instant analysis from Peter Riddell:
“Gordon Brown has dramatically changed the succession battle by laying down his own job. It is a last, desperate move to prevent a Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition.
“The chances of the Brown manoeuvre succeeding are still long. He did not consult Cabinet ministers before making his announcement, and some believe his suggested progreassive or rainbow coalition does not form the basis for a sustainable stable administration.
“In the short term, however, Mr Brown’s announcement that he intends to stand down as Labour leader is intended to remove an obstacle to the negotiation with the the Lib Dems which will now start formally, after informal contacts since last Friday.
“The uncertainty is because Labour and the Lib Dems combined still do not have enough MPs for an overall majority and would require the support of some nationalist and independent MPs to survive.
“Some ministers believe that this combination would not be politically credible, since the Tories won the most votes and MPs at the general election.”
5.10pm Brown to quit for the sake of party
Excerpts from Brown’s speech. We’ll post the full text when we get it.
“We have a parliamentary and not a presidential system in this country, and as I said on Friday, with no party able to command a parliamentary majority … my constitutional duty as prime minister is to ensure that government continues while parties explore options …
“The business of government has continued, including concerted action in Europe today to avert crisis in the euro area.
“This morning I’ve had conversations with the heads of the European Commission, IMF, and the European central bank …
“I’ve said that I would do all I could to ensure that a stable government … is formed …
“As we know, the Liberal Democrats felt that they should talk to the Conservative Party.
“Mr Clegg has just told me that while he wishes to discuss this … He has now told me that he wishes to take forward formal discussions with the Labour Party.
“The cabinet will meet soon; a formal process is being established … the first priority should be an agreement deficit reduction plan …
“I believe that there is a progressive majority in this country.”…I have no desire to stay in my position longer than is needed…
“As leader of my party I must accept that [the hung parliament] is a judgement on me.
“I have asked the party to set in process [a leadership contest] and hope that it would be completed by the …Labour Party conference. I will play no part in that contest …
“I hope you understand that I will be taking no questions tonight.”
5.07pm Swift reversal
This is astonishing. A Lib/Lab coalition is once again on the cards – and Gordon Brown falls on his sword to help it happen.
We could be in line for another unelected prime minister, and David Cameron may have let the keys to number 10 slip through his fingers.
5.05pm Brown to stand down
This is it. He’ll see through coalition talks, then stand down in time for a leadership election at the Labour Party conference.
So, farewell then, Gordon Brown.
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