Mr William Hague has acknowledged he will have to take the blame if the Conservatives go down to another heavy election defeat.

UK voters have rejected a change to the voting system - a major blow to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg after heavy election losses.

Turnbull declared the leadership open earlier on Tuesday amid a backbench uprising as opinion polls showed the government on course for a heavy election defeat.

UK voters have rejected a change to the voting system by an overwhelming majority, delivering a defeat to Nick Clegg's party after heavy election losses.