Hung Parliament - extending the realm of possibility

Forty-four percent of the electorate want a hung parliament, according to a poll by the ICM/Guardian this week, which is far higher than support for an outright majority for either Labour or the Conservatives.

The resurgence of Labour is heartening. As it gets closer to crunch time people who have never voted Conservative before seem to be saying to themselves, “I’m not a fan of Gordon Brown, but voting Tory - that’s a bit strong isn’t it?”

As opposed to 1997, when people were excited by the prospect of change, this election is being fought between the unpopularity of the current government and the only possible alternative. That was until about a week ago when the prospect of a hung parliament came to light. A hung parliament is exciting because it offers an additional alternative that the public hadn’t seriously considered before.
And it is the media who have made this alternative a real possibility. In reality the polls haven’t tightened enough to cause the Tories serious concern and their lead is increasing once more. But the press have jumped on the idea of a hung parliament, seeing it as a new angle to a story that everyone thought had already been written as “Cameron marches into Downing Street”

Whilst the press see it as obtainable, so will the voters which makes it a much more realistic possibility. In reality, it would probably be a disaster. The British electoral system is designed to create strong government who can make big decisions. A hung parliament would end in paralysis and probably another election. But still, I am far more excited about seeing that pan out as opposed to an easy Tory victory. Let’s hope the story hasn’t already been written and the press continue to push outcomes other than a Cameron led majority.