Britain's Liberal leader Nick Clegg gave a strong hint Thursday that he would be available for talks on forming a governing alliance with the Conservatives, who have emerged as the biggest party from the general election, DPA reported.
Clegg said he had always believed that the "party with the most votes and the most seats" should have the first chance to form a government. "I stick to this view," he said.
His remarks will not be welcome by the ruling Labour Party of Gordon Brown, which has been openly wooing Clegg to enter into coalition talks in the hope of clinging on to government.
Results from most of the 649 constituencies showed that the Conservatives will be the biggest party in the new parliament, followed by Labour, but that neither of the two big parties will be able to govern on its won.
Clegg said all parties were called upon to "act in the national interest" and to rise above "narrow party politics."