| As election day nears in the UK, and many opinion | | | | parliament looks, stronger emerging political parties |
| polls point to a decline in voter turnout, with no | | | | could form a "grand collision," and force important |
| clear "winner" in the Election. Britain faces the | | | | reforms in the existing electoral system. |
| possibility of a "Hung," Parliament. What are the | | | | 5. A Weak Economy? |
| effects of a "Hung" Parliament? | | | | The UK faces the prospect of changing a failed |
| The 2010 Election is different, many voters are | | | | property and financial service driven economy into |
| angry with the economic policies of the current | | | | a new economy, which can compete in a global |
| Government, which some believe could of led to | | | | World. None of the main parties have discussed |
| the economic crisis in the UK. The opposition | | | | this, rather focusing on building on the "recovery," |
| Conservatives are also traditionally viewed as | | | | and how to cut down on the nations growing |
| being no better at managing the country, then the | | | | public debt. This could point to weak economic |
| current Government. | | | | growth, and overseas investors may see the |
| The catchphrase to many in this new election is | | | | new Government as temporary. As a |
| that, "Labor do not deserve to govern, but the | | | | Keynesian-type recovery is impeded, because of |
| Conservatives do not deserve to get elected." | | | | the lack of Government funding. |
| This has led to the prospect of the UK facing a | | | | 6. A New Power Base? |
| "Hung" Parliament where no one wins the election, | | | | The Liberal Democrats should be the real winners |
| and the two major parties both have to seek a | | | | in this election, despite the fact that they would |
| partnership with Liberal Democrats, the | | | | remain an opposition party.- which may have to |
| Nationalists or independents to govern- something | | | | form an alliance with one of the big two parties. |
| common in the European system of Government. | | | | But also Nationalist groups like Plaid Cymrd, the |
| What are the Eight effects of a "Hung" Parliament | | | | SNP, and more radical parties like the UKIP, and |
| in Britain? | | | | BNP, also could have some say in government |
| 1. More Power to the Smaller Parties | | | | policy. These so called "minor" parties could grow |
| Whether either of the two main parties "win" the | | | | in popularity- if the new Government fail on its |
| election, they will have to compromise with the | | | | promises, and create a stronger parliamentary |
| smaller parties to push legislation through, in | | | | presence in future elections. |
| exchange for implementing some of their policies. | | | | 7. Cutting back on the "Nanny" State |
| This could mean further decentralization, | | | | High personal and state debts, could force any |
| compromising on new laws or tighter immigration | | | | Government to cut back on what some call the |
| policies depending on unemployment levels. | | | | "nanny state." This could prove unpopular and |
| 2. Deal Making | | | | divisive as most modern Britons agree one |
| More controversial laws will become the subject | | | | advantage of living in the UK is because there is a |
| of intense debate and deal making. This could slow | | | | social safety net. Whoever is in charge of the |
| the election making process, and create "unholy" | | | | Government, will have to make sharp cuts in the |
| alliances between one of the big two parties, and | | | | social security system, which could in turn favor |
| whoever they deal with over individual laws. | | | | the smaller parties in future elections. |
| 3. Unstable Government | | | | 8. The Next General Election? |
| Generally, Britons like stability, and even if many | | | | There is a possibility that if any new Government |
| people state they mistrust the big two political | | | | fails to compromise enough in a "hung" parliament, |
| parties, they usually prefer to elect them, opting | | | | a new election earlier election could be on the |
| for stability over compromise. Whoever runs the | | | | cards. The next election could see more diverse |
| UK after the Election, will perhaps have to govern | | | | economic, and social policies- plus to many a |
| by compromise, and the parties they choose to | | | | strong movement towards the smaller political |
| deal with could force earlier elections if they see | | | | parties. |
| their support as being negative to the electorate. | | | | Although the UK is still one of the Worlds major |
| 4. Electoral Reforms | | | | economies, there is a feeling amongst skeptics |
| The big two parties have everything to lose in | | | | that the future of the UK depends on important |
| this election. Many of the increasingly popular | | | | economic reforms. Otherwise Britain faces a |
| smaller parties are looking at electoral reform, at | | | | period of stagnation, and slow decline. The current |
| a time when the big two to many have | | | | election may become one of change,-but one of |
| monopolized power through supporting the "old | | | | changing perceptions, and a growth in the power |
| electoral system." Depending on how the new | | | | of new political ideas rather than the old. |