Primus Inter Pares - November 1996 General Election

[Lumine]

October 1996 - Labour launches its campaign, hungry for victory

Prelude: After a moderately successful 15 months in office, Heseltine has nonetheless encountered massive trouble with his rebellious backbenches, all the while the Conservative majority continues to be reduced in by-elections. Unwilling to fight his way into 1997 and risk a Vote of No Confidence, Heseltine called for an early election to be held in November 1996, the ultimate gamble to see whether the Tories have recovered from their unpopularity under Major or whether a tide of change will take them away from power:

Labour Party: Labour enters the fray ahead in the polls, but deeply divided over the future of the party as the Labour right believes Prescott's turn to the left (making Labour a more or less socialist party again) is suicide. Prescott and the Labour Party run on a platform of large scale devolution (including referendums in Scotland, Wales and London), a cautious approach to Europe, re-nationalization of several key industries, the scraping of large parts of Conservative legislation on issues such as the trade union laws, and in economic terms, for large investment programs to achieve what Prescott describes as "full employment". Prescott has focused on a populist style campaign, attacking Heseltine and the Tories as hopelessly out of touch with the electorate.

Conservative Party: Also divided, but mostly on the European issue, the Conservatives under Heseltine attempt to win a historic fifth term for the party, having moved more to the center on some issues to become more electable. Heseltine is running on keeping a steady course on the improving economy, delivering tax cuts and targeted spending increases on key areas while focusing on making public services efficient. He also promises further large scale reforms in areas like health and education, and a continued tough stance on crime. To attempt and bridge the divide of the party on Europe, Heseltine has also taken the bold step of promising that should the Conservatives be elected any decision on the Euro will be subject to a free referendum. Heseltine has answered to Prescott's attacks by portraying Labour as returning to their extreme views in the 80's, arguing that Labour can't be trusted to govern under Prescott's policies.

Liberal Democrats (Paddy Ashdown) : Despite a disappointing result in 1992, the Lib Dems return in full force as a center-left party, having categorically stated they will not support the Conservatives in a hung parliament. Under their fiery and charismatic leader Paddy Ashdown, the Lib Dems have decided to abandon the concept of protest voters to seize a distinctive position, pledging to enact electoral reform, wide-scale devolution initiatives, reform of the House of Lords, a strongly pro-European policy (with a referendum on the Euro), a commitment to small tax raises in order to fund extra investment in education and the NHS, an environmental policies to be pursued for Britain.

Three days for this one, info on the Labour Shadow Cabinet and Heseltine's Premiership can be found in the main thread. Referendum Party not included since the party was badly organized and its leader is set to die soon as well.

On a final note, when I calculate results I will deduct the voters for the smaller parties in an equal way (if the minor parties's share is 6%, I take away 2% from each of the three main parties).

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

LD it is.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I'd vote Referendum, but of the options included, Labor because they're sufficiently anti-Europe.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Labour, of course.

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

Labour (pro-nationalization, euroskeptic etc.)

[Lumine]

It should be noted Prescott's Labour is not means eurosceptic per se, it's only cautious on issues such as the Euro (whose entry to is strongly supported by some modernizers).

[Intell]

Labour!

[Intell]

LD it is.

Why?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

LD it is.

Why?

It was a tough call, to be sure. Prescott seems by far superior on labor issues, and I can appreciate his stance on the EU; on the other, I oppose nationalization schemes except when necessary to guarantee fundamental rights of citizenship (such as education and healthcare). I still probably would have voted for Labour if it hadn't been for the LD's position on the NHS, devolution, and reforming the House of Lords. Most importantly, as Ashdown has refused to support a Conservative government under any circumstances, I see my vote as a ballot cast for "Labour - with reservations."

[Zioneer]

Paddy Ashdown in this scenario sounds right up my alley.

[Crumpets]

Paddy Ashdown in this scenario sounds right up my alley.

[Goldwater]

Conservative, easily.

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

Tory, even if they're a bit Europhilic under Heseltine.

[Lexii, harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy]

I find Ashdown more appealing than the Labour candidate

[Antonio the Sixth]

Ugh, of course right-wing Democrats are going to vote LibDem and allow Tories to win...

[Maxwell]

Ugh, of course right-wing Democrats are going to vote LibDem and allow Tories to win...

muh i don't wanna nationalize an industry every now and then

[Lexii, harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy]

Ugh, of course right-wing Democrats are going to vote LibDem and allow Tories to win...

What about a Lib-Lab Coalition?

[MAINEiac4434]

Labour.

[Zioneer]

Ugh, of course right-wing Democrats are going to vote LibDem and allow Tories to win...

I wouldn't mind a Lib-Lab coalition.

[Antonio the Sixth]

FPP means that with these numbers, one of the big two parties will probably win a majority.

[Lechasseur]

Tory, even if they're a bit Europhilic under Heseltine.

I'd vote Tory too

[Mr. Smith]

Labour.

[Goldwater]

FPP means that with these numbers, one of the big two parties will probably win a majority.

Chill out, you guys are still beating us 51%-37%.

[Kingpoleon]

I want Blair to lead a Lab-Lib coalition, not Prescott. Heseltine!

[White Trash]

Labour. Minus the referendums, the platform seems all but perfect.