THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron has entered into formal talks with Nick Clegg to try to secure a deal that would force Gordon Brown from Number 10.
During one of the most extraordinary days in British political history, the Conservative leader made an unprecedented “big, open and comprehensive offer” to the Liberal Democrats after the election ended in the first hung parliament for 36 years.
Mr Cameron was compelled to make the public plea to Mr Clegg after it became clear that the Conservatives would be 20 seats short of an overall Commons majority and that Mr Brown would not allow him to lead a minority government.
To the astonishment of many at Westminster and beyond, Mr Brown stubbornly refused to accept election defeat despite Labour losing almost 100 seats.
Instead, the Prime Minister attempted to woo the Liberal Democrat leader with a power-sharing offer of his own.
After a night in which the Tories had appeared confident of securing an overall majority, Mr Cameron looked shell-shocked as he addressed a press conference at which he outlined a ground-breaking and, until yesterday, unthinkable offer to the Liberal Democrats.
He said: “I am prepared to consider alternative options. It may be possible to have stronger, more stable, more collaborative government. >>> Andrew Porter and Robert Winnett | Friday, May 07, 2010
