Countdown to power shift

Thursday, May 6: Voting closes. Exit polls indicate Britain is heading for a hung Parliament.

Friday, May 7: Hung Parliament confirmed, the Tories winning the most seats. Tory leader David Cameron says Labour has lost its mandate to govern and makes a "big, open and comprehensive" offer to Liberal Democrats to form a coalition Government. Saturday, May 8: Tory sources say Mr Cameron and Liberal democrat leader Nick Clegg had a "constructive and amicable" meeting. Lib Dems say Mr Clegg and Mr Brown spoke by telephone during the evening, at Mr Brown's request. The conversation is described as amicable.

Sunday, May 9: Tory and Liberal Democrat negotiating teams hold more than six-and-a-half hours of talks. It emerges that Mr Clegg met Mr Brown in the Foreign Office following their telephone call the previous night. Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg later meet for a second time.

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Monday, May 10: Mr Brown announces he will step down as Labour leader and reveals Mr Clegg said he wanted to take forward formal talks with Labour.

Tories offer a referendum on the Alternative Vote electoral system to Liberal Democrats as part of a final offer on a power-sharing deal. Formal talks between Lib Dems and Labour are held.

Tuesday, May 11: Talks between Labour and Lib Dems appear to flounder as prominent Labour figures pour cold water on the idea of a Lab/Lib Dem coalition.

Lib Dem negotiators return to discussions with Tories at the Cabinet Office.

Mr Brown resigns as Prime Minister shortly after 7pm.

David Cameron arrives at Buckingham Palace and is invited by the Queen to form a Government.