Question from antipodies...Will Tony Blair make the cut?

[Jaysquared]

We lived in the UK  a year ago, and throughly enjoyed question time. Fantastic viewing! But since returning to Australia we dont know whats going on with the elections. Who do you think will win, and why?

[Tock389]

Personally speaking, I feel Labour will win a third term. Their majority is around 170 at the moment, so it will take a mammoth task by the Tories to overcome that. People obviously feel aggrieved about the reasons we went to war with Iraq, so obviously that will cost Labour some seats, but the economy is booming in the UK- low interest rates, low unemployment, which is gradually becoming the main Labour policy thrust, and will be ever more thrown at the electorate in the week leading to the election . My guess is that Labour will see its majority cut to about 70 or 80 seats. The Lib Dems, with their continual anti-war stance throughout, will soak up some of the disillusioned Labour voters. The Tories, I fear, will struggle to convince us that Michael Howard, aged 62, will lead the country with some dynamism. He may have front bench experience, but he lacks the "brave new plan" that both Thatcher and Blair championed when they first became the UK's leader.

[Scobalob]

I agree with Tock389 with the belief that the Lib Dems will poll even more votes than is reckoned.  But, I did hear that if you voted for the Monster Raving Party they'd send you �1...decisions, decisions...

[Quizmonster]

Most Aussies are fond of a bet, I believe, Jay, so here's what British bookies have - with slight variations - to say about the odds...Labour win 1/25; Tory win 12/1 and LibDem win 200/1. 

[elgroucho]

Question time is a great programme and this week will feature all three main party leaders on the same show, thought individually and not together. I can't wait to see it! All the polls point to another Labour victory, they are about 6% ahead in most, but theit majority is expected to be significantly reduced, but will still probably be very large, something like 100 most pundits think.

As Tock says, Labour are strong on the economy and they have invested alot into health and education. The main questions over this are that the money has not been well spent and savings could lead to tax cuts as the Conseravatives claim. The opposition are trying to turn it into a referendum on Blair as he is seen as the weakest point in the Labour make-up, but he appears to be able to retain his popularity with most of those who voted for him the last two times. 

The Lib Dems don't appear to be making a huge impact in the polls in spite of their perceived popularity with the public.

[eupraxia]

Well Blair is the best of a bad bunch for me. The Iraq question is a major **** by all concerned but Howerd backed it so hes as much to blame. Besides Howerd makes my flesh crawl every time I see him.

Theres a bit of me that says no we shouldn't have gone to Iraq but another bit says thank god we did. If the US had gone alone Iraq would have been an even bigger mess than it is now.

as for the rest Blair is doing ok.