U.K. parties to meet on Sunday to discuss deal

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu

JF-Expert Member
Feb 3, 2009
42,268
33,040
Conservatives, Liberal Democrats to hold talks after inconclusive election

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, left, and Conservative Party leader David Cameron, seen in London on Saturday, are considering forming an alliance after Britain's first inconclusive election since 1974.

LONDON - Britain's Conservatives and Liberal Democrats will hold talks on Sunday after an inconclusive election, but are unlikely to agree on a new government before markets open on Monday, the Conservatives said.The center-right Conservatives won most parliamentary seats in Thursday's election but fell short of a majority and are seeking the support of the smaller Lib Dems to end 13 years of Labour rule.
The talks, starting at 6:00 a.m. ET, will be face-to-face between the two parties but not involve the leaders, a Conservative Party spokesman said.

He said it was unlikely a deal could be reached by Monday, noting that Conservative members of parliament, who will be briefed on the negotiations, will not meet until Monday evening.

Financial markets, already rattled by a debt crisis in Greece, want a new government to be formed quickly so it can set about reducing a record budget deficit swiftly and decisively.

The pound, British government bonds and the London stock market all fell on Friday when it became clear the Conservatives would not have a parliamentary majority, but sterling and bonds recouped early losses on the prospect of a deal with the Lib Dems.

May 8: Political leaders maneuver for power following an inconclusive national election. NBC's Jim Maceda reports from London.
msnbc tv

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg held a series of meetings on Saturday with senior party members to seek their backing for a possible deal with the Conservatives.

Clegg must overcome skepticism among a significant number of his party, who fear that Britain's third largest party may be forced to sacrifice too many cherished policies for a deal.

Several hundred protesters chanted outside the Lib Dems' headquarters, urging them to push for reform of an electoral system that favors the two largest parties.

At issue: Four core areas

Clegg said on Saturday that four core areas of tax, education, economic recovery and fundamental political reform were at issue.
"It's precisely those four changes which will guide us in the talks ahead," he said.

Conservative leader David Cameron left open the format a deal might take when he offered on Friday to work with the Lib Dems following Britain's first inconclusive election since 1974.

This could be a coalition, a rarity in Britain, but is more likely to involve a pact in which the Lib Dems agree to support a Conservative-led minority government in implementing an agreed legislative program, in return for concessions.

Senior members of both parties met on Friday night.

MSN Suomi | Lue uutiset ja sää | Kirjaudu Outlook (Hotmail)
 
0 Reactions
Reply
Back
Top Bottom