General Election 2010: Gordon Brown 'launched telephone rant' at Nick

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/05/2010 16:13

Gordon Brown launched a "diatribe" and a "rant" at Nick Clegg during a telephone call with the Liberal Democrat leader after it was suggested he should resign, it was reported today.

The BBC reported the confrontation based on remarks by a "very senior Lib Dem source who is involved in the negotiations with the Conservatives".

The source told the BBC's Jon Sopel that during the leaders' conversation last night, the tone went "downhill" at the mention of resignation.

It was claimed Mr Brown's approach was to begin "a diatribe" and "a rant" and the source said the Labour leader was "threatening in his approach to Nick Clegg".

Mr Clegg was said to have came off the phone assured that it would be impossible to work with Brown because of his attitude towards working with other people.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/05/2010 16:13

Number 10 have denied the report of Brown's aggression, describing the chat as "constructive".



In contrast, the Lib Dem source said discussions between Mr Clegg and David Cameron, the Conservative leader, had been "convivial"



In an official statement the Lib Dems denied there had been a row, insisting: "Any suggestion that it was in any way angry or hostile would be wrong. It was perfectly amicable and both men just set out what they said in their public statements."



Harriet Harman, Labour's deputy leader, also played down suggestions of disagreement.



"I wasn't in that call, but I think it would be very surprising if there was a blazing row... I think people know big issues are at stake here, and I don't think anybody would have been so small as to lose their temper," she said.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/05/2010 16:14

The BBC also suggested that the Lib Dems have been offered three cabinet positions by the Tories - namely Home Secretary, Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Transport Secretary.

At the VE Day commemoration at the Cenotaph all three party leaders stood side-by-side and laid their wreaths in unison. Normally the Tory and Lib Dem leaders would follow the Prime Minister, who lays a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

Notably, it was Mr Cameron who stood in the middle of the trio during the ceremony, rather than Mr Clegg.

The Lib Dem leader met his party's MPs and peers earlier to discuss possible alliances following Thursday's inconclusive General Election.

But they were warned by senior Conservative Liam Fox not to hold the country "to ransom" with demands for electoral reform.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/05/2010 16:15

Negotiations between the parties were sparked by Britain's first hung Parliament since 1974. A passer-by shouted at Mr Clegg as he drove to the crucial meeting: "Don’t sell us out to the Tories, Cleggie”.

Arriving for talks in Westminster, Lib Dem leader said he would approach discussions with the other parties in a "constructive spirit".

But he said that his party would be pursuing the four priorities identified in their manifesto: fairer taxes, help for disadvantaged schoolchildren, a green economy and "fundamental political reform".

Mr Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said the Lib Dems' long-time demand for the replacement of the first-past-the-post voting system in Westminster elections should not form a stumbling block to the creation of a stable government.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
08/05/2010 21:05

Roll on home rule for Scotland!

Jovial_John


Joined: 31/01/2009
Posts: 1024

Message Posted:
09/05/2010 10:30

I totally agree Phylray. And take Wales with you.

If Scotland and Wales had home rule then the disproportionate number of MPs they send to Westminster would be gone. As 67 of those MPs are Labour then Labour would probably never take power again.

The whole Westminster set up is totally biased against the English. Wales gets 1 MP for every 56,500 voters, Ireland for every 65,000, Scotland for every 65,500 but England only 1 MP for every 71,750 voters. If England had the same proportion as Wales then it would elect another 143 MPs.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
09/05/2010 10:44

Hi JJ. Its all getting very comprmising now. Plaid Cymru has offered its support to the torries in return for 300 million pounds to be spent in wales each year. For 3 seats.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
09/05/2010 10:53

Why not make voting compulsory then at least it would be a fair result then hold another election.

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
10/05/2010 12:25

Telegraph had a superb pic of 3 leaders at wreath laying. Cameron is looking sideways at Brown like he is something he has found stuck to his shoe. Clegg is in heaven and ignoring both of them.