UK leader Gordon Brown in formal talks with Liberal Democrats, raises prospect of resignation

UK’s Gordon Brown raises prospect of quitting

LONDON — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday that he will resign — but first hopes to broker a pact with the third-place Liberal Democrats to keep his Labour Party in office as part of a coalition government.

Brown said his Labour Party, which came a distant second in Thursday’s national election, would begin a leadership contest to replace him as he focused on talks with the Liberal Democrats aimed at breaking Britain’s election deadlock.

“As leader of my party I must accept that as a judgment on me,” Brown said, referring to Labour’s poor showing.

Brown’s comments came as the Conservatives, who won the most seats but not a majority, were already holding talks with the Liberal Democrats. Some lawmakers said those talks had stalled over differences on key issues, including reform of the voting system.

In a statement outside Downing Street, Brown said Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had asked to begin formal coalition talks with the Labour Party. Clegg had previously said Brown’s departure would likely be a condition of any deal with Labour.

Brown will likely be replaced as leader when the party holds an annual convention in the autumn. Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Education Secretary Ed Balls will likely be leading contenders to succeed Brown.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

LONDON (AP) —British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he wants his Labour Party to govern in coalition with the Liberal Democrats — and he’ll step down within months if that happens.

Brown offered to quit in a bid to tempt the third-place Liberal Democrats to form an alliance with second-place Labour, not the Conservatives, who won the most seats in Thursday’s election but not a majority.