May 11: Britain came close to a new government as Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced his resignation late on Tuesday night as the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats virtually sealed a deal on a coalition government.
Conservative leader David Cameron appeared to be on the brink of power as tense negotiations between Britain’s three major parties appeared to swing decisively in his favour. Earlier Tuesday, the LibDems and the Tories reopened their negotiations after talks between Labour and the LibDems did not reach any positive conclusion on Tuesday morning.
The fifth day after the general election was full of dramatic swings as the LibDems started by negotiating with Labour in the House of Commons, but then opted to restart negotiations with the Tories at the Cabinet Office at 2 pm.
Tory leader David Cameron and LibDem chief Nick Clegg met for a private face-to-face meeting on Tuesday morning, and now all eyes are on a formal announcement of the outcome and terms of the Tory-LibDem negotiations.
Mr Brown’s resignation brings to a close the Labour Party’s 13-year hold on power, as his two chief rivals sealed a coalition deal after the country’s inconclusive election.
Mr Brown said he will travel to see Queen Elizabeth II to resign — allowing Conservative leader David Cameron to take office after Mr Cameron struck a deal with Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats. Mr Cameron is likely to go to Buckingham Palace soon after Mr Brown does, to be formally invited by the Queen to form a new government.
Mr Brown’s aides refused to discuss reports that he might even quit politics altogether.
Conservative negotiator William Hague, a former party chief, who is likely to become the next foreign secretary, said a deal between his party and Mr Clegg’s group was the only credible outcome. “There should be a government with a strong and secure majority in the House of Commons,” Mr Hague said.