A is for apathy
In 1992 voter turn-out for the general election was 77.7 per cent. That figure nose-dived in 1997 and again in 2001. Since then things have improved, with 65.1 per cent of us voting in the closely contested 2010 election, but as the public get more fed up with the main parties and frustrated with politicking and petty power struggles will apathy deter us from going to the polls?
B is for Boris on Blair
In his most recent public display of affection for Tony Blair, Boris Johnson has called him an “epic, patronising tosser”. The Mayor of London made the comments, while criticising the former Prime Minister over his speech in support of Labour’s current leader Ed Miliband. It’s been reported he’s disgruntled by Blair saying that Britain should not hold a referendum on EU membership.
C is for Coalition
Deals may well be brokered in the next month and another coalition government seems a distinct possibility. Cameron wants the ‘competence’ of a Tory only government, but most leaders accept that some sort of compromise will be necessary. At this stage it appears unlikely that one party will be able to command a majority in the House of Commons. Frantic negotiations are imminent.
D is for Davids – Cameron and Miliband
Despite the brotherly battle for the Labour leadership coming to a definite close in 2010 - with Ed named the victor - the younger of the two has spent much of his election campaign defending that win and answering questions about their now “strained” relationship. David Cameron, on the other hand, has revealed that he fully intends to quit politics altogether by 2020, whether he wins this election or not. This means a Tory victory on May 7 would be Cameron’s final term as PM, leaving the door open for George Osbourne, Theresa May or Boris Johnson to succeed him.
E is for Estate AgentsE is for Estate Agents
Amidst all the battles of the election trail there’s a glimmer of hope for the country’s politicians – if not for the nation’s estate agents. A YouGov poll on Voter Trust shows that when asked how much they trusted people in different professions, Labour (21 per cent), Conservative (20 per cent) and Lib Dem (17 per cent), politicians all fared higher than estate agents just 10 per cent. But there’s still some work to be done when it comes to wooing the public, who put the family doctor at the top of the trust list (83 per cent) followed by the local police (64 per cent) and broadsheet journalists at 40 per cent.
F is for Farmers
Could the rural vote be the key to this year’s election? Matt Ware, head of government and parliamentary affairs for the National Farmers’ Union, thinks so. “With the tightest General Election in modern political history, the rural vote is arguably the big battle ground,” he says. “There are 37 rural marginal seats in Eng- land alone where the incumbent party has less than a 10 per cent majority. But the real rural voting question is what will happen to the Liberal Democrat vote in its rural South West, Welsh, Cumbrian, North East and Scottish strongholds.”
F is for FarmersG is for Greens
Green Party leader Natalie Bennett raised a few eye- brows at first in the leaders’ debate. Where’s Caroline Lucas? Bennett isn’t even an MP yet. Nonetheless, her performance was given much praise and added momentum to a Green surge this Spring. With policies such as abolishing tuition fees and raising the top rate of tax to 60 per cent attracting left-leaning voters, they certainly are turning Labour HQ green with envy if not a slight nausea.
H is for Healthcare
Healthcare and the NHS have been major election points for all parties. Launching their manifesto on Monday, Labour pledged to invest £10.5billion to help recruit 8,000 more GPs, 20,000 more nurses and 3,000 more midwives. They also said they will guarantee GP appointments with- in 48 hours and cancer tests with- in one week, as well as giving mental health the same priority as physical health. The Conservatives, meanwhile, have committed to NHS funding of £8billion in the next five years. The Tories have also pledged to improve services, such as guaranteeing over-75s same-day access to a GP, and that by 2020 everyone will be able to access a GP at weekends and evenings.
H is for HealthcareI is for Immigration
Taboo or part of accepted political debate? Either way, Nigel Farage and Ukip have soared in the polls on the back of the issue. A total of 52 per cent of those surveyed by YouGov placed the issue as a priority, competing with the economy and the NHS. Such concern explains why the Tories and Labour have, reluctantly it must be said, been making such an effort to provide policy for it. May be a deal breaker in any Tory-Ukip pact.
J is for Just around the corner
Voters don’t have long at all until the registration period lapses on April 20. And, just over two weeks later is the date of the General Election, May 7.
J is for Just around the cornerK is for Kilburn and Hampstead
Traditionally an Irish bolthole in London, Kilburn is also the location of England’s most marginal electoral seat. With Labour’s Glenda Jackson beating the Tory candidate here by just 42 votes in 2010, all eyes will be on the North London constituency once again on May 7 – where Labour’s win the independence referendum, she lately hinted at seeking a new one if something “material” changed. Already First Minister of Scotland, this is certainly a politician to watch - and be wary of for those who want a United Kingdom.
L is for Losers
With the supposed minority parties gaining in significance and popularity, who will the main losers and winners be? Labour’s hopes are pinned on the shoulders of Ed Miliband, who is under pressure to poll well. Ukip’s rise to prominence has impacted upon many especially the Lib Dems, who endured a European election of epic misery last year. Will the slide continue?
M is for Marginal Seat
Crucial come election day, marginal seats are claimed in constituencies held with only a small majority of votes (see K is for Kilburn). The smallest majority won in the 2010 election was in Fermanagh & South Tyrone, where Sinn Féin’s Michelle Gildernew beat independent Unionist Rodney Connor by just four votes. With the 2015 general election boasting more marginal seats than ever, newly including the Irish stronghold of Harrow East, candidates and voters should will be under no illusion that every vote counts this May.
Part 2 will be published tomorrow...
