General Election 2010: Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman welcomes Lib Dem coalition talks

May 11 2010 by Nick Lavigueur, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TALKS aimed at forming a coalition government took a new twist last night following Gordon Brown’s resignation.

Mr Brown said he would stand down as leader of the Labour Party as soon as an agreement on the new government had been reached.

His statement came as Labour began formal talks with the Liberal Democrats began last night.

The news came shortly after the Lib Dems revealed they had not yet reached a deal with the Conservatives.

While Tory negotiator William Hague said progress on forming a coalition had been made, the Lib Dems David Laws said they were seeking clarification on education, tax and voting reform before any deal could be done.

And with pressure to form a government mounting Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said he did not see anything ‘dishonourable’ in Labour and the Liberal Democrats forming a coalition government.

Mr Sheerman, a one time critic of the Prime Minister, said he had put no pressure on Mr Brown to resign.

He said: “He must decide what’s best for him and for the country.

“We’re now in a position where we’ve all got to think of the future of the country.

“All of us are waiting for the Tories and the Lib Dems.

“One does wonder if they can work together as they are at different ends of the scale on so many issues.

“On Europe they are poles apart, on representation and they’re not close on immigration or tax.

“What would hold them together in any kind of stable government?

“We all must bear in mind if you take all the Labour and Liberal votes in the country you’re talking an overwhelming majority – 15 million votes where there were only 10 million for the Conservatives.

“You would need Plaid Cymru, the SNP and a couple of the DUPs – it’s possible.”

While welcoming the chance of a progressive alliance with the Lib Dems Mr Sheerman remained tight lipped on who he would back in the upcoming Labour leadership race.

He added: “I’m going to have to wait and see which candidates emerge.

“There’s quite a field out there, you’ve got the member for Hull West (Home Secretary Alan Johnson), the Milibands and Harriet Harman.

“I think there are some very strong contenders and I will be consulting with my local party and assessing them on their merits.”