The Great Debate UK

Electoral future shrouded in mystery

-Justin Fisher is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Magna Carta Institute at Brunel University. The opinions expressed are his own.-

Barring a huge surprise, it seems most likely that the general election will be held on 6th May 2010 — the same day as the local elections.

Quite apart from the saving to the public purse in holding simultaneous elections, there is also a potential advantage for Labour in that turnout should be a little higher than if elections were held on separate days.

Labour voters have tended to be more ready to abstain in the past than their Conservative counterparts, though the impact of higher turnout will, in truth, probably be enjoyed more by candidates in local elections than those in the general election.

Is the general election all over bar the shouting?

-Justin Fisher is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Magna Carta Institute at Brunel University. The opinions expressed are his own.-

With the election now just under seven months away, the starting guns for the campaign were fired at the party conferences. This general election looks like the most eagerly awaited since 1997, and could lead for some significant changes for each of the three largest parties.