THE TELEGRAPH: The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats last night sought to reassure financial markets that they are close to agreeing an economic deal that would allow David Cameron to take power.
Three days after the result of the general election, the two parties have yet to strike an agreement that will remove Gordon Brown from Downing Street.
With the nation experiencing its first hung parliament for 36 years, there are fears that the power vacuum at the heart of government could scare investors, already nervous after the crisis in Greece.
These concerns have been exacerbated by the failure of the parties to come to a formal power sharing arrangement 72 hours after the negotiations began.
And their nerves will be heightened further after Mr Brown launched a last ditch attempt to persuade Nick Clegg to enter into a coalition with Labour.
In an intriguing development, the Prime Minister and the Liberal Democrat leader held private talks yesterday afternoon, while the Tory and Lib Dem negotiations were taking place in a neighbouring building.
Senior Labour figures were even said to be contemplating offering a deal to Mr Clegg that would see Mr Brown step down in return for a power-sharing deal between the two parties. >>> Andrew Porter, Robert Winnett and James Kirkup | Sunday, May 09, 2010
