Thread:Comments:UK elections: Gordon Brown offers resignation to secure Labour-Liberal coalition/Why did he do it?

Brown had to make a big gesture to have an influence on the LibDem-Tory talks: as his numerical position in Parliament is much weaker than Cameron's.

This could have two likely effects: to encourage Cameron to make more concessions to the LibDems, or even more dramatically, allow a Lab-LibDem-Rainbow coalition of nationalist and centre-left parties.

Either would be a good outcome for Brown's legacy and his "sense of fairness". My guess is that there will be a more progressive LibDem-Tory pact: with some certainty of electoral reform and preservation of the safety net for lower and middle income people.