Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
British leaders in last-ditch push for votes
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
British leaders in last-ditch push for votes
AFP - Tuesday, May 4
Send
IM Story
Print
Prime Minister Gordon Brown (2nd right) and Minister for the Olympics and London Tessa Jowell campaign on the streets of south London, May 2. Party leaders targeted key marginal seats on Monday in a final push to win what looks like the closest general election in decades this week.
LONDON (AFP) - – Britain's party leaders targeted key marginal seats Monday in a final push to win what looks like the closest general election in decades this week.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is struggling to retain power, campaigned through a public holiday in tight seats in eastern England, while Conservative leader David Cameron, who is ahead in polls, was in the northwest and London.
Amid talk of a possible hung parliament, the knife-edge May 6 contest is increasingly focused on swing voters in a few dozen seats where the results are too close to call, and which could determine the outcome of the election. Facts: Britain's three party leaders
Brown's Labour has accused Cameron of trying to "give the impression that he is home and dry" after he outlined plans for his first 100 days in power including an emergency budget and setting up an Afghanistan "war cabinet".
But despite his party's long-term poll lead, Cameron insisted Monday: "There has never been an ounce of complacency in my body and there isn't now and there is everything left to do."
Announcing a 24-hour campaign blitz from Tuesday night until electioneering ends late Wednesday, he added: "This election is far from won but I think people have the right to know what they would get."
A Sun newspaper/YouGov daily opinion poll Monday gave the Conservatives 34 percent, unchanged, the Liberal Democrats 29 percent, up one percent, and Labour 28 percent, unchanged.
Under Britain's political system, the party which wins an overall majority of seats in the House of Commons can form a government.
But polls suggest no one party may be able to do that after Thursday's vote, leading to a hung parliament for the first time since 1974 and probably days of horse-trading between the parties.
Experts said there were more voters than usual at this stage in the race who had still not decided how to vote. Related article: How Britain's electoral system work
Ben Page of Ipsos MORI told the BBC that a new poll the company did for Thomson Reuters suggested "around four out of 10 people in marginals might change their mind" between now and polling day.
Around one in 10 might only decide how to vote in the polling booth, he added.
Polling expert Professor Paul Whiteley of Essex University told AFP that there were "still lots of people whose votes are to be had" -- and that party loyalties were far less strong than a few decades ago.
"People's brand loyalty to the parties has been vanishing for many years and I think we're reaching a tipping point where there are a lot of people not attached to one political party," he said.
"People are much more consumer-orientated in their voting. Just as people will switch from one supermarket to another if prices are better, so the same is true for the political parties."
The Conservatives are thought to have spent millions of pounds of controversial donor Michael Ashcroft's money in recent years trying to secure votes in marginal seats at this election.
Brown's Labour has been behind in the polls throughout and his election hopes took a fresh blow last week when he was caught referring to an elderly female voter as a "bigoted woman".
He again tried to focus on his economic credentials in leading the global response to the world financial crisis from 2008 in a stump speech Monday in Ipswich, eastern England.
"This is a fight for the future, this is not an ordinary election, these are not ordinary times, this is a post-global financial crisis election," he said.
His de facto deputy Peter Mandelson insisted the election was still a "three-horse race", despite low poll numbers.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, whose party could hold the balance of power in a hung parliament, insisted his party was the only one which could deliver "change".
"Vote with your heart, vote with your instincts. You have an opportunity of a lifetime, a once in a generation chance to change Britain for good," he said.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Somali Islamists vow to end piracy, pirates flee with ships AFP - 55 minutes ago
United, Continental forge world's biggest airline AFP - 14 minutes ago
NY police tighten net in Times Square car bomb AFP - 58 minutes ago
UK-World Summary Reuters - 1 hour 8 minutes ago
Iran: Punish U.S. for "shameful" nuclear threats Reuters - 1 hour 8 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
United, Continental forge world's biggest airline
Europe mobilises to get aid to Greece
Iranian president blasts US for nuclear threats
Business jet makers ready to fly through tough year
Man hunted over foiled Times Square car bomb
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Shroud of Turin 'mirrors' human suffering: pope
United, Continental create world's biggest airline
Obama defends his US oil slick response
Higgins's snooker future in question over match-fixing claims
Obama jokes about his ratings and nationality
More Most Viewed »
Aliens may exist but contact would hurt: Hawking
Apple engineer loses iPhone prototype
French driving veil row escalates
Airlines want compensation as Europe's skies reopen
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 4 May 2010 U.S. envoy arrives for Israeli-Palestinian talks
British leaders in last-ditch push for votes
Iran: Punish U.S. for shameful nuclear threats
|
US-TECH Summary
Basques separatists on trial for Madrid bombing
IBM buys cloud computing software firm Cast Iron
Iranian president blasts US for nuclear threats
Ireland to close airports Tues due to volcanic ash
|
Google buys Canadian 3D desktop software startup
Peeping Tom Suspect Chased By Father, Caught By Police, K-9
Pakistan Taliban leader alive, threatens U.S. attacks
|
IBM buys cloud computing firm Cast Iron Systems
Business jet makers ready to fly through tough year
Woman Arrested In Slaying Of Washington Principal
Europe mobilises to get aid to Greece
'Pope podcasts' pave way for Portugal trip
Man In Wheelchair Struck, Killed By Tractor-Trailer
Apple sells one million iPads in a month
Man hunted over foiled Times Square car bomb
Online Job Ads Rise To Highest Level Since 2008
U.S. chained wounded Canadian teen to door: medic
|
Apple says sold 1 million iPads
US inflation up 2% in March
Republican Tops Poll As Voting Begins In Hawaii Special Election
Turkey reform article rejected in blow to govt
|
iPad Outsells iPhone In Half The Time
Flood Kills Dozen In Tennessee
Plane Turned Around Due To Teens Unruliness
U.S. Consumer Spending, Manufacturing Post Strong Growth
Drones kill low-level militants, few civilians: U.S.
|
Auto Sales At Ford, GM Jump More Than 20 Percent In April
Indian court convicts Pakistani in Mumbai siege
S.Korean climber defends claim to disputed 14-peak record
Thai PM proposes Nov poll in "reconciliation" plan
Thai PM offers reconciliation plan, election date
Video shows Pakistan Taliban boss alive
Thai PM offers November elections to end crisis
Maoist strike shuts down much of Nepal for 2nd day
Connecticut AG probing Craigslist on paid-sex ads
|
Thai PM says ready to hold November elections
Indian court convicts Pakistani for Mumbai siege
1st woman to climb tallest peaks returns safely
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Actress Lynn Redgrave dies in Connecticut at 67
Cuba attracts Russian visitors with sun, nostalgia
Soap opera actress Helen Wagner dies at 91
Fishermen fear for catch, livelihood as mass spill looms
English ousts Russian in ex-Soviet Georgia's schools
Actress Lynn Redgrave dies in Connecticut at 67
|
Soap opera actress Helen Wagner dies at 91
|
Michael Douglas calls son's jail time adequate
|
Domingo's La Scala performance hit by strike
|
Settlers torch West Bank mosque: Palestinians
Labour in tactical voting call at British poll
Jewish settlers blamed for torching West Bank mosque
Ireland reopens airspace from 8 a.m. ET
|
Scheme allows Bangladeshis to 'vote' in UK poll
Connecticut AG probing Craigslist on paid-sex ads
US scores poorly on world motherhood rankings: charity
Europe pressed on slavery reparations
Thai red shirts study PM's election offer
|
Obama, Netanyahu want direct peace talks soon: White House
Electronic medical orders may save lives
United, Continental forge world's biggest airline
Iceland volcanic ash grounds flights across Ireland
Iran to hold naval exercises in Gulf: State TV
|
Obama presses Mideast peace push
South Korea stops just short of blaming North for sinking
|
British actress Lynn Redgrave dies at 67
US automakers report surging sales after troubled times
UK leaders make frantic final push for votes
|
Japan PM urges islanders to accept U.S. base burden
|
Drones kill low-level militants, few civilians: U.S.
|
China to press North's Kim on economy, nuclear talks
|
Jennifer Lopez Headlines 2010 World Music Awards With Award, Performance
MoNique Refuses Oprah Show Interview, Still Angry Over Her Brothers Lies On The Show
Florida Lawmaker Busted Surfing Porn On Senate Floor
World's oldest person, 114, dies in Japan
U.S. Markets Jump On Economic Data
S.Korean climber defends claim to disputed 14-peak record
Iranian President Says U.S. Policies Encourage Nuclear Proliferation
China city's 'shoot to kill' school attacks policy
Nepal strike Day 3: Food, fuel running short
China tainted-milk victims sue in Hong Kong
Australia PM lags in poll after carbon plan halted
NY police tighten net in Times Square car bomb case
Regulators mull antitrust look at Apple: source
|
Tornado, floods kill at least 22 in southern US
Australia gov't polls down after climate law delay
New York bomb suspect arrested at airport: official
China's manufacturing activity slows: HSBC
China to press North's Kim on economy, nuclear talks
Seoul shares inch lower, led by LG Electronics
Taiwan: No change on China policy after Ma comment
India to restrict mining in forests: report
Shanghai Expo opening attendance below expectations
Taiwan urges French firm to pay fine over warship sale
Korea Hot Stocks
PAKISTAN
NY auctions to signal return of good times: art dealers
Seoul shares dip on LG Elec; eyes on Samsung Life IPO
French rogue trader recalls 'banking orgy' in tell-all book
Seoul shares open higher, led by techs, carmakers
Police cameras to flood Manhattan to prevent attacks
NZ wage growth slow in Q1, labour market steadies
Britain's loony leader fights Cameron with insanity
"American Idol" ratings down, but ad sales seen up
Wine seller sues "Hell's Kitchen" star for skipping bill
Music publisher played key role in launching Runaways
Ellen Pompeo launches cancer prevention campaign
Black Eyed Peas break digital sales record
American Idol ratings down, but ad sales seen up
|
Wine seller sues Hell's Kitchen star for skipping bill
|
Meat Loaf explores human condition on Teddy Bear
|
Ellen Pompeo launches cancer prevention campaign
|
Ozzy, Motley Crue, Halford lead Ozzfest bill
|
Black Eyed Peas break digital sales record
|
Iran says plans new war games, photographed U.S. ship
Italian city fines woman for wearing burqa
Cybersecurity summit kicks off with calls to action
Ireland, Britain reopen skies after new ash alert
Palestinian Authority bans work in settlements
|
Airlines must reimburse travellers over volcano chaos: EU
Somali pirates hijack Yemeni cargo ship
|
UBS posts profits rise, warns of market uncertainty
China to press North's Kim on economy, nuclear talks
|
Prosecutors seek death sentence in Mumbai trial
|
Kyrgyzstan orders ousted leader's extradition
|
Israel asks Egypt to rethink pressure on atom pact
|
BP to use domes to capture giant US oil spill
Pakistan says to help U.S. over New York bomb suspect
Three passengers 'taken off New York-Dubai flight'
World's oldest person dies in Japan
Thai protesters agree to work towards end of crisis
Thai protesters welcome PM's compromise
Prosecutors seek death sentence in Mumbai trial
Sri Lanka plans to withdraw wartime restrictions
Taiwan: No change on China policy after Ma comment
Japan PM: Moving US base off Okinawa 'impossible'
Regulators mull antitrust look at Apple: source
|
Philippines recalls faulty voting machine cards
Taiwan to invest in cloud-based computing
U.S. gives Pakistan $656 mln under security fund
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates up; rupee flat
Samsung Life's IPO draws huge response from investors
Taiwan cbank urges capital controls for Asia economies
Japanese oil company to survey Cambodian basin
Renault-Bajaj 'plan $2,500 car for India'
Airbus A380 orders hit headwind: EADS boss
Britain's Turner Prize shortlist revealed
Indonesian volcano spews lava, ash 4,000 feet
Japanese firm signs oil study deal with Cambodia
Singing artist nominated for Britain's Turner Prize
US scores poorly on world motherhood rankings: charity
China's Huawei seeks India meeting over telcom ban
Shazam! Berlin looks at superheroes' Jewish roots
French super-university wants to be among the top 10
Singing artist nominated for Britain's Turner Prize
|
Black Eyed Peas break digital sales record
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights