Menu
07/05/2010
UK Faces Hung Parliament
The majority of votes are in for the UK general election and predictions show that Britain faces its first hung parliament since 1974.
With the votes that have already been accounted for it is apparent that the Tories will be the largest party and Labour can no longer win a majority.
However what is not clear is which party will be in a position to govern the country.
The BBC projection suggests David Cameron's Conservatives will have 306 seats. If there are 10 Unionists elected in Northern Ireland then Mr Cameron might be able to command 316 - probably still slightly too few for him to be sure of winning a Queen's Speech.
But Labour and the Lib Dems together would have 317 seats, according to the BBC figures, which even with three SDLP MPs would still leave them at 320 - again probably just a few votes short.
Senior Labour figures have said that under the rules of Britain's constitution, the sitting prime minister in a hung parliament makes the first attempt at forming a ruling coalition.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said Mr Brown had returned to Number 10, and was going to rest and "catch his breath" adding: "We have to be patient for some time more."
This is the last thing that either Mr Cameron or the Prime Minister wanted to happen, because having to compromise with a third party, in this case the Liberal Democrats, would, they believe, dilute their own policies, and weaken the battle to end the recession and clear the deficit.
Mr Cameron said early in the night on the basis of the exit poll (Conservatives 305, Labour 255, Liberal Democrats 61, and Others 29) he would be able to govern, despite being short of an overall majority. He would, in fact, be daring his opponents to vote down the Tories' first budget.
However, it is more than likely, in these circumstances, that Mr Brown, as the incumbent Prime Minister, would try to reach a deal with the Liberal Democrats to achieve a partnership in the Commons which would outvote the Conservatives.
But shadow schools secretary Michael Gove said voters would not be "entirely happy" if Mr Brown "after a defeat like this, were to try to cling on and try to form some sort of coalition of the defeated, some sort of alliance of the dispossessed."
(LB/GK)
With the votes that have already been accounted for it is apparent that the Tories will be the largest party and Labour can no longer win a majority.
However what is not clear is which party will be in a position to govern the country.
The BBC projection suggests David Cameron's Conservatives will have 306 seats. If there are 10 Unionists elected in Northern Ireland then Mr Cameron might be able to command 316 - probably still slightly too few for him to be sure of winning a Queen's Speech.
But Labour and the Lib Dems together would have 317 seats, according to the BBC figures, which even with three SDLP MPs would still leave them at 320 - again probably just a few votes short.
Senior Labour figures have said that under the rules of Britain's constitution, the sitting prime minister in a hung parliament makes the first attempt at forming a ruling coalition.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said Mr Brown had returned to Number 10, and was going to rest and "catch his breath" adding: "We have to be patient for some time more."
This is the last thing that either Mr Cameron or the Prime Minister wanted to happen, because having to compromise with a third party, in this case the Liberal Democrats, would, they believe, dilute their own policies, and weaken the battle to end the recession and clear the deficit.
Mr Cameron said early in the night on the basis of the exit poll (Conservatives 305, Labour 255, Liberal Democrats 61, and Others 29) he would be able to govern, despite being short of an overall majority. He would, in fact, be daring his opponents to vote down the Tories' first budget.
However, it is more than likely, in these circumstances, that Mr Brown, as the incumbent Prime Minister, would try to reach a deal with the Liberal Democrats to achieve a partnership in the Commons which would outvote the Conservatives.
But shadow schools secretary Michael Gove said voters would not be "entirely happy" if Mr Brown "after a defeat like this, were to try to cling on and try to form some sort of coalition of the defeated, some sort of alliance of the dispossessed."
(LB/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 July 2005
Liberal Democrats celebrate by-election win
The Liberal Democrats are celebrating after retaining their seat at the Cheadle by-election. Mark Hunter, the Lib Dem leader of Stockport Council, won the seat by 19,953 votes. Mr Hunter beat his nearest rival, Conservative Stephen Day, who had been the area’s MP until 2001, by 3,657.
Liberal Democrats celebrate by-election win
The Liberal Democrats are celebrating after retaining their seat at the Cheadle by-election. Mark Hunter, the Lib Dem leader of Stockport Council, won the seat by 19,953 votes. Mr Hunter beat his nearest rival, Conservative Stephen Day, who had been the area’s MP until 2001, by 3,657.
18 March 2009
Labour Election Win Hangs On 'Recovery'
The Conservatives may still be holding their ground in popular opinion polls, but it seems all is not lost for Gordon Brown's Labour Party.
Labour Election Win Hangs On 'Recovery'
The Conservatives may still be holding their ground in popular opinion polls, but it seems all is not lost for Gordon Brown's Labour Party.
28 October 2008
Brown Bounce Continues
Labour appears to be closing in on the Tory's lead in opinion polls - in what has been referred to as the 'Brown Bounce'. Figures published today suggest the Prime Minister's handling of the financial meltdown has restored the public's confidence in his party. Gordon Brown has slashed the Conservative's lead by more than half.
Brown Bounce Continues
Labour appears to be closing in on the Tory's lead in opinion polls - in what has been referred to as the 'Brown Bounce'. Figures published today suggest the Prime Minister's handling of the financial meltdown has restored the public's confidence in his party. Gordon Brown has slashed the Conservative's lead by more than half.
14 September 2015
Jeremy Corby Elected New Labour Party Leader
Jeremy Corbyn has been elected the new leader of the Labour Party with a majority of almost 60%. Mr Crobyn beat Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall, taking 251,417 votes in the first round of voting. In his first act as party leader, Mr Corbyn has been selecting his shadow cabinet, with Tom Watson as Deputy Leader.
Jeremy Corby Elected New Labour Party Leader
Jeremy Corbyn has been elected the new leader of the Labour Party with a majority of almost 60%. Mr Crobyn beat Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall, taking 251,417 votes in the first round of voting. In his first act as party leader, Mr Corbyn has been selecting his shadow cabinet, with Tom Watson as Deputy Leader.
09 November 2005
Blair defeated on terror vote
Tony Blair has been handed the first defeat of his Premiership as MPs voted against controversial plans to increase the maximum detention period for terror suspects to 90 days. The government lost the vote by 322 votes to 291 - a majority of 31. The vote was expected to be tight.
Blair defeated on terror vote
Tony Blair has been handed the first defeat of his Premiership as MPs voted against controversial plans to increase the maximum detention period for terror suspects to 90 days. The government lost the vote by 322 votes to 291 - a majority of 31. The vote was expected to be tight.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
