Election 2010: Brown and Cameron give statements

Not every seat result has been declared yet but what's obvious is that no party has enough to form a majority government. So what next?

At the moment, Gordon Brown is still the Prime Minister. By the rules of the constitution, he has the right to go to the Queen to seek permission to form a government or, indeed, resign. If he does resign, David Cameron's Conservative government have their chance to ask for the keys to number 10.

Gordon Brown began his statement at 1.40pm and David Cameron's statement gave his at 2.30pm. Clegg is rumoured to speak again after Cameron.

Brown stated it's government business as usual in terms of meeting with the EU to discuss financial problems. He added that he'd be willing to see any of the party leaders and would welcome the chance to talk to Clegg if the Lib Dems and the Tories can't hatch a coalition plan.

Brown also said the two big things he wants to talk to Clegg about is economics (and the country's recovery) and electoral reform. Brown made it clear he would support a referendum on the voting system and said the country has clearly spoken about its desire for systematic change.


Image by informationisbeautiful.net

In his speech Cameron said the Tories are the clear winner with more seats than parties with majorities won in previous seats, adding we need a "clear, strong leadership". He seems to be favouring the minority Tory government but concedes that they might be up for a Lib Dem partnership. He also addressed the Lib Dems directly and listed the policies the Tories and Lib Dems have in common, saying they can work together there. Cameron tackled the subject of electoral reform and says he believes we need an all-party inquiry about it. So basically, he's not keen on proportional representation and isn't offering it as a carrot to the Lib Dems just yet, as Brown did.

So for the time being, more waiting, more confusion and besides the obvious one, some other questions to consider: why were hundreds of people not allowed to vote? Does this election result highlight a flawed voting system that needs change? And how has David Dimbleby stayed up all night and still seems to be going strong?