Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, and Sir Menzies Campbell, the former Lib Dem leader, are among those said to be in contact with members of Labour party chief Ed Miliband’s inner circle.
The talks are said to be “informal” and to take place on “different levels”.
One Labour source revealed that Cable and Miliband spoke regularly by telephone, buts sources close to the Business Secretary did not confirm this.
The aim of the discussions is to find “common ground” between the two parties so that, if the next general election results in a hung parliament, they are able to form a “progressive” coalition which would see the Lib Dems turn their back on Prime Minister David Cameron and the Conservatives.
Specific policy areas are discussed – including House of Lords reform. Many Lib Dems are furious that David Cameron appears to be booting the issue into the long grass.
As well as Cable and Sir Ming, Lib Dems who support the strategy are understood to include Simon Hughes, the party’s deputy leader, Tim Farron, its president and a predicted future leader, and Lord Oakeshott, the former Treasury spokesman. All are from the left wing of the Lib Dems.
The fact that the talks are becoming public will place further strain on the coalition government and will be seized on by Tory MPs unhappy with what they see as Cameron abandoning traditional Tory policies while waving through Lib Dem-friendly moves such as legalizing same-sex marriage.
MOL/JR/HE
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