What Nick Clegg should have said.

Setting: Liberal Democrat HQ Central London.

Time: One week after the May 2010 General Election.

Press Conference called by Nick Clegg.

Nick Clegg makes the following statement:

Having taken part in exhaustive talks with Labour and Conservative leaders I must now set out my party's course of action. The electorate have spoken and given neither Labour nor Conservative parties a majority. However the result makes the Conservatives the largest party and it therefore has a mandate to form a government. As a responsible party that has called for a new type of politics we will support this government as it seeks to bring about economic stability. We know difficult decisions will have to be taken, but as Liberal Democrats we will use our influence to ensure that the burden of the economic readjustment falls fairly, and not on those least able to pay. David Cameron has offered our party seats in Cabinet, but we have decided to remain outside formal government positions in order to exert our influence as Liberal Democrats. We will though take our place on a cabinet committee to promote stable relationships in this new style government. These are testing times and our party has decided to abandon old style tribal politics and work for the good of the nation. I am proud today to call myself a Liberal Democrat.