<p><br /> Gordon Brown said he is willing to see any of the party leaders if David Cameron and Nick Clegg do not reach an agreement on forming a government.<br /> </p><p><br /> Prime Minister Gordon Brown made a direct overture to Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, offering immediate legislation on a referendum on electoral reform in return for a deal which could keep him in Downing Street.<br /> </p><p><br /> And in a sign that Labour remains very much in power for the time being, he revealed that Chancellor Alistair Darling will take part in conference call talks today with fellow G7 finance ministers on the crisis in the euro area.<br /> </p><p><br /> Earlier, Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg urged the Conservatives to form a Government after Britain returned an inconclusive result in the most tightly fought General Election in a generation.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Clegg said that the party with the most seats had the first right to form a government so the Tories should now prove they are "capable of seeking to govern in the national interest". But he said he also wants to "fix a broken electoral system".<br /> </p><p><br /> It is not clear if the Liberal Democrats will form a coalition with the Conservatives but it appears that Nick Clegg will speak to David Cameron before consulting anyone from Labour.<br /> </p><p><br /> David Cameron's Conservatives cannot reach the 326 threshold for an overall majority.<br /> </p><p><br /> The results set the scene for behind-the-scenes horse-trading possibly stretching into the weekend and beyond, as the parties struggle to form a viable coalition.<br /> </p><p><br /> Even though Labour has not won the largest number of votes or seats, constitutional convention gives Gordon Brown the right, as incumbent Prime Minister, to try to form an administration.<br /> </p><p><br /> Although he will come under intense pressure to quit, he is not required to do so until it becomes clear that he is unable to command a majority in the House of Commons or is rejected in a vote of confidence.<br /> </p><p><br /> Lacking an overall majority, he is likely to turn first to the Liberal Democrats for support, either in a "progressive coalition" or an informal voting pact, to keep the Tories out of power.<br /> </p><p><br /> The nationalists are also hoping they can benefit from the current state of the parties.<br /> </p><p><br /> Plaid Cymru hope that by siding with the SNP to offer support on a vote-by-vote basis, they could get concessions for Wales and Scotland.<br /> </p>
