- guardian.co.uk, Friday 7 May 2010 14.21 BST
Gordon Brown today accepted that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats had the first chance to establish a coalition but declared his desire to form a coalition with Nick Clegg – offering a referendum on proportional representation in a bid to trump the Tories.
In an acknowledgement of the weak position he now faces, Brown said he would be "willing to see any of the party leaders".
Speaking from the steps of Downing Street he also made clear his offer to the Liberal Democrats – shared economic policies and a referendum on proportional representation.
But he also signalled that he would remain prime minister and that his cabinet was carrying on the work of government in the meantime. Alistair Darling will take part in a video conference with EU finance ministers today to address the economic crisis in Greece.
The hung parliament has left the parties manoeuvring for control of the government today. On the basis of current results, Labour has 255 seats, Liberal Democrats 55 and the Tories 307 – just short of the 326 needed for an overall majority.
Cameron must now chose whether to attempt a minority government or some form of coalition with the Liberal Democrats. He is expected to make a statement shortly. Clegg has indicated he will enter talks with Cameron first.
Addressing reporters outside No 10, Brown said: "On the critical question on the formation of a government that can command a parliamentary majority I have of course seen the statements of other party leaders. I understand and completely respect the position of Mr Clegg in stating that he wishes to make contact with the leader of the Conservative party.
"As you know we already have in place mechanisms and facilities that will give the political parties any civil service support they need. Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg should clearly be entitled to take as much time as they see necessary.
"For my part I should make clear that I would be willing to see any of the party leaders. Clearly if the discussions between Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg come to nothing then I would of course be prepared to discuss with Mr Clegg the areas where there may be some measure of agreement between our two parties.
"There are two areas in particular where such discussion would be likely to focus. The first is the plan to ensure continuing economic stability where there is substantial common ground. And the plan to carry through far reaching political reforms including changes to the voting system."
He added: "What all of us should be mindful of is the imperative of strong stable government and for that to be formed with the authority to tackle the challenges ahead and one that can command support in parliament. It is with this in mind that all of us should be facing the times ahead.
"I understand, as I know my fellow party leaders do, that people do not like the uncertainty or want it to be prolonged. We live however in a parliamentary democracy; the outcome has been delivered by the electorate. It is our responsibility to make it work for the national good."
A statement from the Conservatives earlier suggested Cameron would seek a "strong and stable" coalition with "broad" support indicating some form of coalition is on the cards. Clegg today said that the Conservatives should have the first chance to form a government after securing the highest share of votes and seats in the general election.
Conceding that the election had been "disappointing" for his party, the Lib Dem leader made it clear that voting reform would be the condition of any decision to back a coalition.
His suggestion that the Tories should have the first opportunity to form a government runs contrary to constitutional convention, which dictates that the sitting prime minister has that entitlement.
But with the Lib Dem performance falling well below expectations and Labour receiving its worst drubbing since the second world war, the prospects of a Lib-Lab coalition are receding unless a Con-Lib Dem coalition first fails.
Brown today triggered the constitutional mechanism to establish a new government from the hung parliament, deploying teams of civil servants to the opposition parties to support negotiations aimed at forming a coalition.
Amid vastly different regional swings, the election results showed strong Labour resilience outside the south, and the Lib Dems badly underperformed against the euphoric expectations of only a week ago.
The former home secretary Jacqui Smith was the most high-profile victim of the expenses scandal, losing her ultra-marginal Redditch seat to the Tories by 6,000 votes.
Other Labour casualties included another ex-home secretary, Charles Clarke, and the ministers Vera Baird, Mike O'Brien, Bill Rammell and former minister Tony McNulty.
But the schools secretary, Ed Balls, narrowly held off a strong Tory challenge and declared: "People say New Labour is finished. New Labour is renewed tonight – we will fight on."
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, said the people had spoken, but "we don't know quite what they have said".
You have characters left
Please read our community standards.
Closing this window without pressing "Post your comment" will result in your words being lost.
Are you sure?
Thank you for your comment. This has been submitted for moderation.
Your comment has been successfully posted.
Sorry, something has gone wrong and this action cannot be completed. Please try again later.