'Plan V' for Lib-Lab pact
Senior Liberal Democrats are discussing a 'Plan V' to instal Vince Cable as Chancellor in a future centre-left coalition, according to the Daily Mail.
A Labour frontbencher told the paper that he believes Ed Miliband is prepared to negotiate a coalition deal directly with the Business Secretary after the next general election, and cut Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg out of the process entirely.
Elsewhere Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughes has also opened the door to a future Lib-Lab pact, telling the Telegraph his party would make "reasonable partners in a progressive government".
He insisted Lib Dems would continue to "work constructively" with the Tories, but said the party should "not hide the fact" that is agrees with Labour on a number of issues.