Anti-Tory majority needs to assert itself to save Britain, he says in Guardian article

Peter Hain today becomes the first cabinet minister to call for a new era of Labour-Liberal Democrat co-operation, saying "the new development in British politics is the emerging common ground" between the two parties.

He tells the Guardian: "The stakes are very high. If we recognise our common ground, a new progressive era of political reform based on Britain's natural anti-Tory majority can take charge."

Hain's remarks in an article and accompanying interview appear designed to encourage anti-Tory tactical voting, and to open up the possibility of a form of co-operation between the two other main parties in the event of a hung parliament.

"Only if progressives come together to fight for their beliefs can Labour win the election and be at the centre of a wider movement of like-minded people," the secretary of state for Wales says.

Hain also calls on progressives of all kinds to vote tactically against the Tories in Labour-Tory marginals. He argues that tactical voting in such seats "would not require voters to sign up to Labour's entire record or every one of our policies, still less to renounce their principles".

He argues that millions of people see themselves not as dyed-in-the-wool Labour supporters but as progressive individuals who may also vote for the Lib Dems, Greens, or Plaid Cymru in Wales.

Hain supports what many see as necessary for a stable coalition government to be formed: a fixed-term parliament, common in most other countries. David Miliband, the foreign secretary, has embraced the proposal, and it is understood that the home secretary, Alan Johnson, also favours the move on the basis that it would be a symbol of the government giving up a power.

It is often argued that a minority party in a hung parliament should not risk joining a coalition without fixed-term parliaments because if the larger party is free to chose the election date, it can manipulate events so that an election is called at a time of maximum advantage to them.

Hain says there are strong similarities between the Labour and Lib Dem programmes, on constitutional reform, handling the economic recovery, public service reform and even civil liberties. Differences on issues such as ID cards are smaller than is recognised, he suggests.

Many cabinet ministers are privately revising their forecasts for the election in the face of a slew of polls pointing to a hung parliament. Some privately favour a deal with the Lib Dems even if Labour secures a small overall majority.

Hain admits: "The anti-Tory tactical voting that stood progressives in good stead in the 1997 and 2001 elections has gradually been unwinding. I detect on the ground that there is an awakening, and people are beginning to realise Tory government would be horrendous. I think it is very important that the anti-Tory forces come together. The anti-Tory majority in this country needs to assert itself to save Britain."

Hain said Labour was for the first time committed to wholesale constitutional reform - the alternative vote system, an elected Lords, and the right of recall of corrupt MPs. "Together we could allow a really exciting agenda for the next parliament, and I think it is something the Liberal Democrats would support."

Hain will make a similar appeal more directly on Saturday at the Welsh Labour Pparty conference, where he will appeal to middle Wales not to let the Conservatives back in. The last poll in Wales by HTV showed Labour leading the Conservatives by 35 to 32 points.Comment, page 32