|
BRITISH VOTERS FACE CHOICES ON MORE THAN ONE LEVEL
(CNN) -- The invisible hand of freewheeling economics or the regulatory hand of government. Isolation from Europe or integration with it. National unity or regional parliaments.
When British voters go to the polls May 1, they will face such substantive choices.
But on another level, their choice is much simpler: between the steady-as-she-goes conservatism of incumbent Prime Minister John Major or the promise of change from boyishly faced Labour's Tony Blair.
Britain is at a crossroads. Eighteen years of Conservative rule have changed the face of the country, bringing large-scale privatization and national health care reform. Its economy is strong enough to throw some weight around in the European Union.
But if opinion polls are to be believed, voters are showing the restlessness of a would-be new car owner itching to ditch a comfortable old vehicle, however far along the road it may have taken them.
If they do, they would be defying the conventional wisdom that voters return the incumbents when the economy is strong, to give Labour its first shot at running things since 1979. Labour is doing its best to distance itself from the socialist-leaning party it was then, even going so far as to refer to itself as "New Labour."
 |
 |
 |
Then there is the corruption factor, allegations of various wrongdoing among the Tories that seem scripted for opponents' campaign ads. The British are a tolerant lot, after several hundred years at this Parliament business; still, the scandals could prove a decisive factor against Conservatives in the voting booth.
We can't weigh the pros and cons for you, but we can give you a glimpse of the elements of Britain's election, including the issues and some insight on the parties and their leaders.
Finally, we have "Digital Dispatches" from London, focusing on unique aspects of this election, including the impact of the Internet.
THE ELECTION | THE LEADERS | THE ISSUES
THE POLLS AND THE PEOPLE | DIGITAL DISPATCHES
CNN U.K. ELECTION STORIES | U.K. ELECTION SITES
Tell us what you think!
You said it...
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.