May 6: the day that could see the Labour Party leaving the power after 13 years. Current PM Gordon Brown competes for a new mandate against a more energetic David Cameron (Tory Party) and the fresh Nick Clegg (LibDem). Who's got the biggest chance to be invited by the Queen to form the Government? Director of LSE London Tony Travers makes a brief description of the tree main candidates for No. 10.
The rules of the political scene will constraint politicians to sort out the situations among them, so that the Queen's choice would be as clean as possible. The queen will consult herself with her private secretary. Her secretary can also speak to constitutional law lawyers and experts. "Only in the most complicated, messy scenario the decision will fall on the Palace", Tony Travers says.
What has kept the LibDem Part away from power for so long it the British electoral system - it's first past the post in each constituency. Only the winners get a seat, regardless whether someone coming second in a different constituency had been voted by a larger number of people. Plus, people will not vote for you if they think you are not going to win, even if they like and they wish you would win (tactical vote). And the core Labour voters are superior in number to the core LibDem voters, Travers adds.
Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown's main strong point is the "economic leadership", especially with the prospect of a growing public debt on the background. There is of a domino effect, with the problem originating in EU countries such Greece. And here, the Labour Party, with Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling ahead, can raise points, LSE London director believes.
One thing you must do in a campaign is to carry on with the race, believing you could win. Otherwise you'll stop, Travers says, explaining the rush of the Labour Party to leave Gordo
