Pondering, and while slightly more optimistic than we once were, still really quite unhappy Lefty thread

[Hassled]

Where had we got to? We'd agreed that we all love Cameron, right?

I'm really not so sure that this is a good thing, TBH (Lib/Lab coalition)... However much we'd like to think it doesn't matter, it does: the press will play this as a government of the losers. This could go horribly wrong.

Am anxious.

OMG omg omg omg Oh My God
what happened to Hamnegg????
WHy do I have to work for a living?

1704

Gordon Brown says Nick Clegg wants to begin formal discussions with the Labour Party and plans are now being made to allow that to happen. He also says he will step down as Labour leader by September and will ask the Labour party to set in motion a leadership contest to replace him.

So what now? Is Clegg still hammering out a deal with the hammeister or is he switching horses mid-stream?

1709

Mr Brown says he has "no desire to stay in my position longer than is needed to ensure that the path to economic growth is secured" and the route is paved for political reform. He says he will ask his party to launch a leadership contest and will play no part in it - expecting a new leader to be in place around the time of the Labour conference in September.

Oh!

Must go and watch it (loudly)

How exciting! it's like a penalty shoot out, and Gordy just did a Zidane and nutted Hammy in the mush.

How are the "anxious Tories" taking it?

"Brown to step down in September, he hasn't got a Clegg to stand on"

on Twitter

LENIN HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?

here, MmeLindt

Woooo!

claps hands!

I liked Gordon.

So he's resigned as Labour leader but is still PM for now?

GB will have to promise a referendum on PR within 6 months. If that's won, an election will have to be held within a year to ensure the legitimation of the "progressive coalition" government.

If this all works, the Cons could be locked out of power for a generation.

But, the referendum would have to be won; and with the (right-wing) press campaigning heavily against it, and with the Tories claiming that government was stolen from them... It will be hard. This could go badly for Labour and the Lib Dems...

Caitlin Moran on Twitter - Awww Gordon Brown. What a fucking DUDE. Laying his left-wing moth-eggs in the wardrobe to eat the Tories' clothes. WIKKID

So I wonder what the Conservatives wouldn't give Clegg? I wonder what was the final sticking point? Or maybe it's not necessarily all over with the Cons?

Clegg is in danger of looking like a bit of a floozy at this stage - too much bed-hopping.

"If this all works, the Cons could be locked out of power for a generation". c/w Penthe

Whoooohooo! Well I feel heavy metal Whooo hoo!

Should next thread title be Wildly Upbeat centerist progressives uniting for the National Good?

Thanks for the updates MmeL

lololol @ Caitlin

the trio on the Beeb remind me of you guys on here sheesh its a love in

I suppose it was/is electoral reform, Hassled. Clegg would never be forgiven by his party if he gave that up.

Maybe he was scared by how much credibility his party would lose (Clegg that is)

Oh no - I'm going to have to change my name now.

Twitter was going absolutely MAD with LibDems protesting about giving up electoral reform. I do not think that they would give that up, they would be unelectable.

Someone linked earlier to the overlap of policies, Lib Dem were closer to Labour than Tory imo

Although I sort of agree with him, but I'm sad for him too.

OH MY GOD!!!!

I was COOKING and I MISSED it.

Gosh well:

1. this opens everything out doesn't it?

2. Gordon, what a gem. Love him more than ever - "it is a far far better thing that I do" [sob]

Bugger missed the statement by Gordon - never mind I'm sure it will be repeated on BBC News a million times this evening.

Things are hotting up.

Penthe - you're right that the RW media will have an absolute field day with this, probably to scary levels.

Steel's just pointed out that yes, it's not over yet with the Cons.

OMG something HAPPENED

Love it when Campbell lays into the r-wing press. 'They tried to destroy GB; they tried to destroy NC. They don't have the clout they think they do.'