Derek Simpson backs moderate to lead Unite
Leaked emails over Mike Hancock scandal
David Miliband tipped for top EU job
87% of MPs raking it in with second jobs
David Cameron exclusive interview
"Red Ed" negotiates a minefield
"Red" Ed's knife-edge win
Don't strike over cuts, says union boss
Harman blocks Gordon Brown's farewell honours
Child benefit for older kids faces axe
Ed Miliband edges ahead of bruv in Labour leadership race
Who will Nick Clegg choose?

5pm: The talks have started. Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague has confirmed Nick and Dave are now starting the long process of working out whether they can do a deal.

Insiders say the first phone calls were "Friendly but mutually cautious".

CLEGG: Brown must GO for LibLab pact

Clegg

3.01pm:
Political Editor Ian Kirby writes:

"David Cameron has just surprised everyone by offering the prospect of a formal coalition with Nick Clegg - laying out areas on tax, human rights and social justice where the two parties can work together.

"
But he was clear he would not be held to ransom by the Lib Dems over issues like electoral reform, and he deliberately withheld any offer of senior ministerial jobs.

"And he said introducing economic cuts, tackling immigration and investing in defence were red lines that he would not give ground on.

"
I'm told the Liberal Democrat leader's initial reaction was "interesting".

"And his team have already prepared their own 50 page negotiation document which they will hand over to Mr Cameron in the next hour or so.


"
Mr Cameron gave a clear warning to his own party that they will have to be prepared to give ground - with the greatest compromise a pledge for an all party committee of inquiry into electoral reform.

"
Older Tory MPs I have just finished speaking to were split over this.

"However, there is one significant point to remember: no-one knows how the 100 or so new Conservatives who will enter the Commons for the first time on Tuesday fell about this, and I suspect they will support his plan.


"
Talks will continue this afternoon and tomorrow. Stay here for the latest twists."

 

Comments



    Keeping one eye on the rest of the web
  Westminster blog spy