Labour's Douglas Alexander rules out deal with SNP

Mr Harris said: "We are in this position because we lost the election.

"I am worried about the long-term future of the Labour Party if we are seen to scrabbling around in a very ungracious way desperately trying to hold on to power in any and all circumstances."

Mr Harris added: "It seems to me we are not talking about a rainbow coalition. We are talking about Labour plus the Liberal Democrats, supported whenever the Nationalists feel like it on crucial issues.

"That does not equate at all to a stable long-term government arrangement."

For now, both the media and the public remain in the dark - the secretive coalition talks have left us knowing little more about the next government than we did on Election Day. Equally, the public seems no better placed to decide who they want to govern. 29% would like to see a coalition between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats form the government, while 31% would prefer to see a coalition between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and other minor parties. Over one fifth (21%) would like to see a 'grand' coalition of all three parties, and seven percent do not know.

The formation of a Conservative minority government is also not seen by respondents as a popular outcome of the hung parliament. Only 19% favour this solution to the first hung parliament in over thirty years. However, given the broad division in opinion, there is only one thing we can be absolutely sure of – whatever the outcome to the coalition talks, some people will be disappointed.

http://today.yougov.co.uk/politics/public-divided-over-next-government

YouGov’s poll for the Sun this morning asked people their preference on the coalition deal. 20% wanted the Conservatives to govern as a minority, 33% wanted a pact or coalition between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats (giving a total of 53% wanting a Conservative led government), 39% of respondents backed the Labour, Lib Dem, SNP, etc rainbow coalition.

YouGov also asked whether people would prefer FPTP or a proportional system. 38% backed FPTP, 47% proportional representation – this was a repeat of a question YouGov asked a week or so before the general election, and there has not been any significant change in opinion.

http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/2696