2015. A New UK Election But With A Difference.

Here we are again. On May 7th the population of the UK will once again head for the polling stations to elect another government. One of the biggest questions will be will the next government screw us as much as Cameron's coalition did for the last 5 years. There is no question that the poorest in this country have carried the biggest burden with regard to the "deficit" reduction. Note that it is not "debt" reduction. In actual fact the country's debt has risen to over £1,500,000,000 in the last 5 years. The real truth of the matter is that it is an impossibility to pay the debt in full. While lining the pockets of the rich with tax cuts and public money, Cameron's government have given us a debt for eternity.
Another big question is, can the Labour Party in Scotland actually survive as a major party. The opinion polls over the last 6 months strongly suggest that the Scottish National Party will all but sweep the board taking control of at least, yes at least 3 quarters of the seats in Scotland. Obviously, as Scotland only elects 59 MP's, the SNP will never be able to form a government in Westminster but, it's the potential loss of around 45 Labour party MP's that is causing all the furore. The SNP's YES campaign in 2014's independence referendum was defeated but, if the UK election result fulfils it's potential for SNP dominance, another independence referendum could be on the cards. One indication to that end is the fact that membership of the SNP has rocketed from 25,000 last September to over 103,000. However, another referendum is a matter for the future.
Already in this election campaign, the words "coalition" and "hung parliament" are mentioned as a matter of course. This has never happened in the UK except during a war. Numerous political analysts have actually said that coalitions could become the norm. In Scotland, the parliament is elected by proportional representation which should, every time, return a coalition government. However, at the last election, the SNP returned an overall majority of MSP's (Members of the Scottish Parliament) to confound all the experts.
You will notice that I haven't mentioned the supposed big 3 party's, Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats. Oh yes I forgot to mention UKIP as well. I didn't mention them because although they will control the majority of seats, well the Conservatives and Labour will, they still won't have enough to have an overall majority and therefore they will have to do a bit of horse trading to be able to form a government. That is where the likes of the SNP come in. The SNP leader and Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has completely ruled out any contact with the Conservatives and only a working relationship with Labour. No formal coalition with anyone. UKIP are unlikely to have enough seats to make a difference. This leaves the Lib Dems. Jumping into bed with the Conservatives after the last election in 2010 has damaged them, it's a question of, how much.
It is the most interesting and unpredictable election in the UK for many years and no doubt there will be many twists and turns before polling day on May 8th.
Till next time. (Hopefully sooner rather than later)