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Interesting times in dear old Blighty

By Andy Mycock - posted Thursday, 6 May 2010


If Liberal Democrat gains in the polls are realised tomorrow (UK time), we may well be entering a period of “three party” politics that could see Clegg emerge as a “king-maker” of the next government.

Whilst the two main parties continue to profess a desire to win the election outright, there is a realisation that a ‘hung’ parliament could lead to coalition government. With this in mind, the usual disdain for the Liberal Democrats has been replaced by genuine engagement, both conciliatory and damning. The Conservatives have sought to scare the electorate, suggesting coalition is somehow “un-British”, being weak and potentially damaging for the British economic recovery.

As such, they claim they would prefer minority government if they gain the most seats rather than go into power with the Liberal Democrats. Labour have proven more prepared to consider such moves, and are encouraging Liberal Democrat and Labour voters alike to vote tactically on Thursday to keep the Conservatives out of office.

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But a Lib-Lab coalition would have to overcome a number of difficulties that could lead to further instability, particularly over the thorny issue of electoral reform. Labour prefer an alternative vote system which fails short of the proportional representation system advocated by the Liberal Democrats.

Moreover, it is unlikely that Clegg would wish to form a government with Brown remaining as Prime Minister – a position supported by many within the Labour party as well. Of most concern for Clegg though is the potential divisions created by any coalition – Labour or Conservative – within a Liberal Democrat Party made up of economic and social liberals.

Whichever partner he might chose, potential splits are almost certain and it is open to question as to whether he could maintain party discipline in Westminster. Many commentators are therefore cautious in heralding a new era of British politics and it is highly-likely that, if no party wins an outright majority, there could be another election in the autumn or winter of 2010.

This election will be remembered, but not for parties campaigns or the policies unlike 1979 or 1997. It is likely that these are not only the last days of Gordon Brown’s leadership of the country but of a particular style of politics where substance is given the same status as style. The television leadership debates have heralded a new age of personality politics that means media unsavvy politicians like Brown will find it more difficult to take the ‘top job’.

It has however initiated a process whereby politicians and the electorate have had to re-evaluate British electoral politics. Though it might in the long run encourage retrenchment of a political orthodoxy founded on a preference for single-party majoritarian government, at least this election has prompted the British to consider the question. For that alone, these are interesting times in dear old Blighty.

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About the Author

Dr Andy Mycock is a senior lecturer in politics at the University of Huddersfield. His teaching and research interests include citizenship and identity in post-empire states, with particular focus on the impact on government programmes of citizenship and history education in the UK and Russian Federation. His research has explored the "politics of Britishness", focusing in the legacy of empire and the impact of devolution, immigration and multiculturalism. He also interested in contemporary politics across the Commonwealth.

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