Britain Heads To The Polls!

The British elections are set to take place this week and panning out to be the most interesting showdown I’ve seen this decade.

Unlike previous encounters where power has alternated between two major parties Labour and Conservatives this time its three horse race with Liberal Democrats making the mark.

Their leader Nick Clegg came as a suprise package, telling voters not to allow themselves to be played like pass-the-parcel by two parties who have been doing so for the past 65 years. He won the first pre-election live television debate and emerged as the contender for the office or a kingmaker. His performance took Lib Dems ahead of their rivals by narrow margins. In similar fashion with COPE, SA’s new kid on the block Lib Dems policy position is not clearly understood but doesn’t seem to be a big concern for those who are rallied behind them. It remains to be seem of how much they will keep momentum towards May 6, but are likely play a huge role in controlling the balance of power.

The Labour party have ran out of ideas and British citizens are searching for different face from that of Gordon Brown and to end 13 years of Labour party in power. It is at its worst decline since 1922. Their woes began when then premier Tony Blair joined USA to war at Iraq. Blair was shown the door 3 years ago and was replaced by Gordon Brown. He is also likely to be ditched after the polls in favour of David Milliband who is currently the Foreign Secretary.

The situation is very similar to that of South Africa  when we were heading to our previous polls. Zuma the face of the ANC campaign was facing criminal charges and his presidency was a nightmare for oppositions and many of those in the middle class. But he had the poor under his wing, who enjoyed every moment of him singing ‘umshini wami’. The weak ANC was let off the hook by the quality of its oppositions. Conservatives who were the initial favorites have also taken the knock. Their candidate David Cameron lacks charisma of a leader for a country like Britain. His priviledged up bringing has been the ammunition of Labour party’s ANC borrowed campaign script which equates your up bringing to your inability to understand the poor and promote a view that you will ignore them. Cameron is viewed as arrogant and distanced from the electorate. Because he is fifth cousin twice removed of Queen Elizabeth. His wife is known to be a descended of the royal family.

At the moment, the alternative seems to set the tone of agenda for electorate.Whatever the outcome, the Liberal Democrats have made history and their presence will count. They have laid a strong foundation for the future.

By Authentic Views ©

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