On Thursday Britain faces a definite choice. Since the 1980s, the distinction between Labour and Conservatives has never been so clear, nor has the ideological divide between the Left and the Right been so wide. Every British newspaper believes and are urging that Britain needs a strong, single majority government, with a clear mandate and better and clearer common sense- especially after the country faces a clear divide on basis of faiths.
The Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Jews and Christians have published their wishlists or manifestos. While the Christians have emphasised on issues of poverty alleviation, the other religions have stuck to protection for their vulnerable communities against racism, hate crimes and stressed on availability of equal opportunities and rights.
The Muslim Peer Lord Nazir Ahmed estimates that there are at least 40 constituencies on Thursday's election that could be determined by a “Muslim swing vote”. According to a Times report, Muslims are expected to nearly double its quota of MPs to 15 (mainly representing the Labour party in metropolitan constituencies), though its a long way from the 29 MPs it needs to reflect the size of its population.
Many of these Muslim voters will definitely not vote for Conservatives, because of the party's stringent stance on counter terrorism legislation, but are also far from forgiving the Labour party for the Iraq war.
Miqdaad Versi, assistant secretary of the Muslim Council of Great Britain, reportedly said, “Many of our community voted Lib-Dem at the last election, but we have anecdotal evidence that a lot of them are going to vote Green.”
It is quite interesting to note here that while the party leaders are making their rounds to attract the Asian community voters, 100 hours before Britain goes to poll- visiting Hindu temples and Sikh Gurdwaras, they have kept their visits to mosques limited or almost significantly nil.
The Conservative party leader David Cameron went to the Neaden temple thrice in his term time, and also visited several Gurdwaras. The Labour leader Ed Miliband made a recent trip to the Jain temple in Potter's Bar, as well as to Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Willsden, but has not been spotted visiting any mosque- at least in recent months.
Actually what has been remarkable about this upcoming election on Thursday is the high number of undecided voters. One in four still to make up their mind- with the banks and investors fearing that the Labour government would spark an exodus of wealthy foreign investors (with abolition of the non-dom rules). This complex system of multi-party politics and expansion of postal voting means that even a big late swing may not guarantee victory for a single party. But it's perhaps still all to play for.
What are the options we are looking at?
The election is about two things- the economy and the future of the UK. The first is linked to the second.
Ed Miliband could win significantly fewer seats votes, but more seats than his main opponents or win fewer seats, yet be placed in No 10- by the Scottish National Party (SNP), which is actually set to destroy Labour in Scotland. Without Scottish seats, Labour may not win a majority on its own. Mr Miliband has ruled out a pact with SNP but Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader has made clear that her party will keep the Labour in power and Tories out. Yet if neither of them can govern alone, in an absence of majority, the Tories could forge into another Coalition with the Lib Dem party.
It was reported that Labour may seek legal advice, and a possible judicial review if Mr Cameron stays in No 10, without having won the 323 seats for a necessary majority. If the Tories win most seats, Mr Cameron of course would be entitled to remain in the office. But there is also a possibility that the Conservative party will not win more than 290 seats. According to The Economist magazine, the Conservatives have spent too much time mocking the Labour party leader- which may hurt them.
In any case, it's not for any courts to sort out a political mess. If there are difficulties caused by the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, then the Commons should appeal the Act if necessary and not expect the judges rescue them.
Though a government with a clear majority would be preferable, the experience of Coalition has not been the chaos- as feared in 2010. When Mr Cameron had made his offer to the Lib Dems, it was an act of bold leadership to accept it. The eurozone was in crisis, markets were wobbly, Britain needed a stable government- and the Coalition provided the assurance Britain needed at that point.
Until Monday Nick Clegg was lagging behind the Labour candidate in the constituency of Sheffield Hallam, however an ICM vote showed a sudden surge of Tory tactical support of the Lib Dem leader. The deputy Prime Minister has been more maligned that any politician in Britain these past 5 years. Mr Clegg's survival is vital to the prospect of another Tory and Lib Dem Coalition. Yet he faces two threats- one national and one local, as The Times reported. Mr Clegg has made it clear that he will only remain the party leader, if he wins his seat and goes back to the government as the Deputy PM. But even if the Lib Dem MPs prove to be capable of defying the national collapse, the party is likely to lose several of 57 seats- making the situation precarious.
Given the chances of a hung parliament, Guardian reports that it is believed that remarkable level of people are now considering voting tactically in order to boost the chances of their favoured party forming a government. Deciding how to vote tactically is a risky process, but whatever may be the outcome or the method- one should vote, one must vote. It is your choice, democratic right and this is your country. You must decide it's future- as future depends on you.
