The General Election - The Race Is On!

      

So, quite possibly the worse kept secret in UK politics is out.  Gordon Brown did his duty today and gave us the expected date we were waiting for.  Thursday 6^th May will be the day when the 2010 General Election takes place, the day when we visit the polls, the day when we get our say to decide whether we want change or continuity.

This is shaping up to be the closest General Election since 1992, certainly for many, the closest in generations.  Voting figures have lowered over the last three elections, largely following Tony Blair’s landslide victory in 1997, followed by years of continuous dominance from the Labour party, whilst the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats went through lean periods of decline and obscurity.  Now, things have closed up, meaning the possible majority of a Home Parliament should shake the fear into anyone.  For this country to move forward, following the dark days of the recession and MP’s expenses, it is essential we end up with a majority parliament.

Since inheriting power from Blair, when he decided to walk in 2007, Gordon Brown has had a rough and rocky ride for sure.  There are many judgements that have been made, many more that can be made.  However, he is sure to do his damnest to keep Labour in Downing Street.  Consequently, with Labour trailing in most opinion polls by around ten points, his impact on the leadership debates, to be televised live by ITV, the BBC and Sky News could have a massive influence on the final outcome.  Labour’s campaign message is based firmly on the economy and the recovery that we are meant to be in.  They are determined that change will ruin the country completely, although whether that is the case is unknown.

Labour’s determination to increase the National Insurance tax has angered their rival parties and the Liberal Democrats are convinced that after sixty-five years of Tory and Labour government, they deserve a proper say in the country.  Nick Clegg certainly gives the party their best chance at a General Election for nearly twenty years.  He is the fresh, prompt face that the Liberals needed after the ageing Menzies Campbell.  Despite reports of coalition with the Tories, Clegg is determined to do things his own way, which is brave, but could well reap results for the Liberal Democrats at the polls.

Many believe that David Cameron is the man to lead Britain into this second decade.  Cameron is fresh, opinionated and strong-minded and has incentives and drive that may be missing from the Brown administration.  His impact on politics seems similar to Barack Obama over in America, but he is the man who is quite possibly under pressure the most.  The Conservative party are the slight favourites to inherit power from May 7^th onwards.  However, that doesn’t mean they will win, just ask Labour’s Neil Kinnock, who was the long-term favourite in 1992, yet was gazumped at the post by John Major. 

The campaign trail has already begun and for the next four weeks, the party leaders will travel the full width and breadth of the country in an effort to persuade voters that their vision is truly the way to go.  Attacking and defensive strategies are already being applied by the parties, keen to win key seats, unexpected and expected seats.  The battle lines have been drawn – let the race to May 6^th and Downing Street begin!