Conservatives still in discussions over coalition

Theresa May’s Conservative Party is still in talks with the Democratic Unionist Party over a possible coalition following Thursday’s election result, which saw May’s party win 318 seats in the House of Commons, eight-short of an outright majority.

On Saturday both parties said that a deal had been agreed in principle however both sides have issued statements to the press saying talks are still ongoing.

A deal is being sought before parliament returns on Tuesday.

“We will welcome any such deal being agreed, as it will provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond,” said the Prime Minister’s office. “As and when details are finalised both parties will put them forward.”

May called a snap election in May, confident that the gap been the Conservative and Labour parties in polls would result in a convincing victory that would strengthen her position, as well as the Conservatives’ mandate to negotiate Brexit.

The Labour Party however executed a campaign that was able to connect with the electorate, with the party experiencing a surge of support, especially amongst younger voters, before the election.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on his part, speaking during an interview with the Sunday Mirror, said that while Labour did not have enough seats to form a coalition, that he still believed there was a route to power.

“I can still be prime minister. This is still on. Absolutely,” he said.

He said his party would seek to vote down May’s Queen Speech, or program for government, when she presented it to parliament. If that succeeded, he said, May would be expected to stand aside and let Corbyn try to win the backing of a majority of members of parliament to form a government.