A message from Nick Clegg

Over the past four days we have been working flat out to deliver an agreement that can provide stable government for Britain that can last.

As you know we believed it was right that the Conservative Party, as the party with the most seats and votes, should have the first right to seek to form a government and we entered into discussions with them accordingly.

Our talks with the Conservatives have made progress but so far we have been unable to agree a comprehensive partnership agreement for a full Parliament.

I strongly believe we need a government that lasts so that it can take decisions in the long term national interest. As a result, we will continue our discussions with the Conservative Party to see if we can find a way to a sustainable agreement. However, in view of the urgency of the need to resolve the situation we have opened discussions with the Labour Party to explore the possibility of a stable partnership agreement.

Our objective in all our discussions is to secure a sustainable agreement incorporating the four key principles of our manifesto and providing the long term stability that the country requires.

Best wishes,

Nick Clegg

Leader of the Liberal Democrats