British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is keeping speculation alive about just how the UK general election will end, with his announcement Monday 10 May that he will step down as leader of the Labour Party – in a few months, when his party holds its annual conference. He explained that Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, had approached him to open negotiations. Clegg has been talking to David Cameron, leader of the Conservatives, who won the most votes of the three parties. If Labour and the Liberal Democrats form an alliance, Brown could head a coalition government, at least initially, but if they don’t, Brown is likely to be forced to step down.

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The Democratic party won a decisive victory in Japan, defeating the ruling right-wing Liberal Democrats, the first time since 1955 that another party has taken a majority. The Democrats are now in a position to put into place their liberal plans to provide more social services. They have also said they would like a less subservient relationship with the US and will look at removing US military bases. Financial Times, National Public Radio, Sydney Morning Herald