In an apparent bid to halt the progress being made in coalition talks between Conservatives and Lib-Dems in Britain, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has raised the prospect of resigning within months, should the Lib-Dems elect to form a coalition with Labour instead.

The Times of London has excerpts from Brown’s speech announcing his intentions:

“As we know, the Liberal Democrats felt that they should talk to the Conservative Party.
“Mr Clegg has just told me that while he wishes to discuss this … He has now told me that he wishes to take forward formal discussions with the Labour Party.
“The cabinet will meet soon; a formal process is being established … the first priority should be an agreement deficit reduction plan …
“I believe that there is a progressive majority in this country.”…I have no desire to stay in my position longer than is needed…
“As leader of my party I must accept that [the hung parliament] is a judgement on me.
“I have asked the party to set in process [a leadership contest] and hope that it would be completed by the …Labour Party conference. I will play no part in that contest …
“I hope you understand that I will be taking no questions tonight.”

A Labour/Lib-Dem coalition would be problematic in that it would still be about ten seats short of a governing majority, and would be of questionable legitimacy considering the Tories won the most seats and MPs in the election.