Amelia Abplanalp doesn’t know who to vote for in the United Kingdom’s next general election and her indecision doesn’t appear to be unique. The 27-year-old who works in politics said she represents the problem many voters here face with fewer than 100 days to go before polls open May 7 in what analysts say is the most wide open race in generations. “It’s a real challenge to know what it is I’m voting for,” Abplanalp said. “The Conservative Party (says it’s) going to address spending, but at what sacrifice? Labor is traditionally a party that says ‘we’ll put money in and make sure people have enough food,’ — how are they going to pay for that? The Green Party is offering fantastic policies, but how is it going to pay (for them)?” For years, the Conservative and Labor Parties have dominated British politics. With the exception of the current coalition government — led by Prime Minister David Cameron — in power since 2010, the two main parties have effectively taken turns governing the nation since 1945. But experts say the political landscape is now vastly different, making outcomes more unpredictable.
“There’s been a significant decline in support for the Conservatives and Labor since the 1950s, when it was more than 90%,” said Jesse Norman, a Conservative Party Member of Parliament. “This has gone down to 65% of the vote … the rest of the vote has become very split up.”
Recent polling from YouGov — a U.K.-based market research firm — shows the Conservatives and Labor tied at 32% support, UK Independence Party (UKIP) with 16%, the Green Party at 8% and Liberal Democrats with 6%. With no one party expected to secure an outright majority this spring, another coalition government appears likely.
Full Article: Britain braces for most uncertain election in decades.