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05/05/2010
UK Election On Home Straight
The final day of the UK General election is nearly upon us with the three main parties battling for votes.
With polls still indicating that Britain is on course for a hung parliament, David Cameron pledged to go "all out" for a convincing Tory victory as he embarked on a gruelling final push to convince undecided voters.
But Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg are matching him every step of the way in a cross-country blitz as the battle reaches its climax.
PM Gordan Brown has visited market workers in Leeds and said he wants as many Labour votes as possible - rather than backing anti-Tory tactical voting.
After campaigning all night David Cameron, conservative leader, has said the race is close and he will work hard for every vote.
Meanwhile Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is visiting Eastbourne, Durham and Sheffield also in an attempt to win round undecided voters.
The Prime Minister will have been buoyed by a daily YouGov poll for The Sun suggesting Labour has picked up ground on 30%, five points behind the Tories and six ahead of the Liberal Democrats.
Due to the way the electoral system works, the findings could leave Mr Brown in charge of the largest party if repeated evenly nationwide on Thursday.
As the 'big day' looms headlines are dominated with the question 'what happens in a hung parliament?'
The BBC describe a hung parliament as "no single party having enough MPs - 326 - to win parliamentary votes without the support of members of other parties."
If a majority does not take office on Friday Mr Brown will remain in 10 Downing Street until the first meeting of the new parliament, unless he resigns.
The government needs to hold the confidence of a majority in the House of Commons.
Brown could be forced to resign or call another election if the House votes to indicate that it has no confidence in Labour.
Mr Brown would be in a position to ask the Queen to dissolve parliament in order to hold another general election. However, the Queen is not bound to accept the request, especially if he was to ask soon after a previous dissolution.
If Labour retains a majority in the new parliament after the general election it will continue in office and resume business as usual.
Meanwhile rival parties may attempt to call a motion of confidence ahead of the Queen's speech - if for example they have struck a coalition deal.
The Daily Mail warned readers attracted to the idea of a hung parliament that it would result in a "weak administration, dependent on back-room deals and shabby compromises".
However, the Independent claimed this election campaign was an opportunity to end Britain's "unfair and discredited voting system for ever" and that "progressively minded voters" should cast their ballots tactically to keep out the Tories.
(LB/GK)
With polls still indicating that Britain is on course for a hung parliament, David Cameron pledged to go "all out" for a convincing Tory victory as he embarked on a gruelling final push to convince undecided voters.
But Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg are matching him every step of the way in a cross-country blitz as the battle reaches its climax.
PM Gordan Brown has visited market workers in Leeds and said he wants as many Labour votes as possible - rather than backing anti-Tory tactical voting.
After campaigning all night David Cameron, conservative leader, has said the race is close and he will work hard for every vote.
Meanwhile Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is visiting Eastbourne, Durham and Sheffield also in an attempt to win round undecided voters.
The Prime Minister will have been buoyed by a daily YouGov poll for The Sun suggesting Labour has picked up ground on 30%, five points behind the Tories and six ahead of the Liberal Democrats.
Due to the way the electoral system works, the findings could leave Mr Brown in charge of the largest party if repeated evenly nationwide on Thursday.
As the 'big day' looms headlines are dominated with the question 'what happens in a hung parliament?'
The BBC describe a hung parliament as "no single party having enough MPs - 326 - to win parliamentary votes without the support of members of other parties."
If a majority does not take office on Friday Mr Brown will remain in 10 Downing Street until the first meeting of the new parliament, unless he resigns.
The government needs to hold the confidence of a majority in the House of Commons.
Brown could be forced to resign or call another election if the House votes to indicate that it has no confidence in Labour.
Mr Brown would be in a position to ask the Queen to dissolve parliament in order to hold another general election. However, the Queen is not bound to accept the request, especially if he was to ask soon after a previous dissolution.
If Labour retains a majority in the new parliament after the general election it will continue in office and resume business as usual.
Meanwhile rival parties may attempt to call a motion of confidence ahead of the Queen's speech - if for example they have struck a coalition deal.
The Daily Mail warned readers attracted to the idea of a hung parliament that it would result in a "weak administration, dependent on back-room deals and shabby compromises".
However, the Independent claimed this election campaign was an opportunity to end Britain's "unfair and discredited voting system for ever" and that "progressively minded voters" should cast their ballots tactically to keep out the Tories.
(LB/GK)
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07 May 2010
UK Faces Hung Parliament
The majority of votes are in for the UK general election and predictions show that Britain faces its first hung parliament since 1974. With the votes that have already been accounted for it is apparent that the Tories will be the largest party and Labour can no longer win a majority.
UK Faces Hung Parliament
The majority of votes are in for the UK general election and predictions show that Britain faces its first hung parliament since 1974. With the votes that have already been accounted for it is apparent that the Tories will be the largest party and Labour can no longer win a majority.
25 July 2008
SNP Win Labour 'Safe Seat' In By-Election Victory
The Labour Party has suffered another crushing blow as the Scottish National Party has snared Glasgow East in a by-election victory. The Scottish National Party has overturned the former Labour 'safe' seat, which had a prior Labour majority of 13,507 - by winning 11,277 in the contest - representing a swing of 22.
SNP Win Labour 'Safe Seat' In By-Election Victory
The Labour Party has suffered another crushing blow as the Scottish National Party has snared Glasgow East in a by-election victory. The Scottish National Party has overturned the former Labour 'safe' seat, which had a prior Labour majority of 13,507 - by winning 11,277 in the contest - representing a swing of 22.
30 September 2005
Labour retains Livingston seat
Labour has retained the late Robin Cook’s Parliamentary seat in a by-election, but with a significantly reduced majority. Jim Devine, who was Mr Cook’s election agent, won the Livingston seat with 12,319 votes – a majority of 2,680 over Scottish National Party candidate, Angela Constance.
Labour retains Livingston seat
Labour has retained the late Robin Cook’s Parliamentary seat in a by-election, but with a significantly reduced majority. Jim Devine, who was Mr Cook’s election agent, won the Livingston seat with 12,319 votes – a majority of 2,680 over Scottish National Party candidate, Angela Constance.
09 May 2011
Northern Ireland Council Election Count Underway
As the largest parties in the coming Northern Ireland Assembly discuss the make-up of the new Executive today, ballots from NI's third poll are being counted - four days after the electorate cast their votes.
Northern Ireland Council Election Count Underway
As the largest parties in the coming Northern Ireland Assembly discuss the make-up of the new Executive today, ballots from NI's third poll are being counted - four days after the electorate cast their votes.
07 May 2010
Recount Wins Fermanagh For Sinn Fein
Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew has now been re-elected in Fermanagh/South Tyrone. She was elected on the third recount with a margin in single figures defeating independent unionist unity candidate Rodney Connor.
Recount Wins Fermanagh For Sinn Fein
Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew has now been re-elected in Fermanagh/South Tyrone. She was elected on the third recount with a margin in single figures defeating independent unionist unity candidate Rodney Connor.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
