Cameron: Labour has lost mandate

Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said Tory leader David Cameron would talk to other parties
12 April 2012

Tory leader David Cameron has said the Labour Government had lost its "mandate" to govern the country.

After winning his Witney seat with an increased majority, Mr Cameron said it was clear from the results annnounced that the country wanted change.

He said that change required "new leadership" and pledged the Conservatives stood ready to do what they could to help bring about "strong, stable, decisive and good government".

Mr Cameron said: "What will guide me in the hours ahead, and perhaps longer than the hours ahead, will be the national interest - to do what is right for our country, to make sure we have that government, have that stability, take the right decisions.

"We live in difficult times but this is a great country and we will come through them and be stronger. At all times what I will do is put the national interest first to make sure we have good, strong, stable government for our country."

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said voters had given "a resounding thumbs down" to Gordon Brown at his first election as party leader. He said he was still hopeful that the Conservatives would end up with a majority.

A senior Tory said Mr Cameron is "happy to talk" with other parties to ensure Britain gets a "strong and stable" Conservative-led government.

Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove stressed it was for his leader to decide who he should talk to, but did not rule out talks with Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats.

Mr Gove said: "I stress it is for David Cameron to decide with whom we should work. We do not yet know the basis on which the new Parliament will be constructed entirely, we don't know the precise arithmetic."

But he added: "It is certainly the case that David Cameron is happy to talk to people in other parties in order to ensure that we can have a strong, stable, Conservative-led government to provide the country with the change it needs."

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