British election smile for Blair while Hague frets

It seems that Labour Party leaded by present British prime minister, Tony Blair is going to take power again at general election holding on June 7th. He has made headway in the polls during this campaign. With Tony Blair already making detailed plans for his first Queen's Speech back in power, according to pollsters, that he may do better on June 7 than the landslide victory that swept his party into power in 1997. The percentage of those supporting the Labor Party is 48%, raising 2,6 % than 1997.
However the Guardian/ICM poll on May 30th shows that the Conservative Party receives 27% supporting and 17% voters are considering supporting the Liberal Democrats. A survey by ICM for the News of the World suggests a Labour Commons majority of 197, compared with its present 179.

I. The reason that Labour Party come into power again
Labor party have gone through hardship which is protest against his supporting on euro, foot and mouth diseases, demonstration against increasing price of petroleum. Owing to the domestic business shows clear signs of recovery, however, his popularity is still high. Chronic unemployment of Britain have fallen to the lowest record in 25 years and Economy is going better: a rate of economic growth is 3% with lower inflation.
The another reason of the popularity of Labour Party is the charm and ability of prime minister, Tony Blair. When he won the election in 1997, he sent a breath of fresh air, midway reform of left through Labour Party and left wing in Europe which run to the extreme left. He succeeded to shake off incompetent image of Labour Party with "the third way" Political analysts evaluate that he has excellent political sense and power of expression. He made himself a figure who befitting TV generation with young, intelligent and homely imagine.
On the other hand, Conservative Party made no opportunity to counterattack after losing power. William Hague, a leader of Tory who is evaluated do not possess leadership give rise to a split and an intraparty conflict. It was perhaps always unrealistic to expect Mr Hague to lead the Conservatives to victory in this election.

II. Most conflicting issues between Labour and Tory
Labour Party tend to appeal to promised an even more generous welfare menu: Mortgages as low as possible, low inflation and sound public finances, 10,000 extra teachers and higher standards in secondary schools, 20,000 extra nurses and 10,000 extra doctors in a reformed NHS, 6,000 extra recruits to raise police numbers to their highest ever level, Pensioners' winter fuel payment retained, minimum wage rising.
Opposing Labour's policy, Hague initially positioned his party as a champion of lower taxes. They said it is possible to reduce government budget not much effected by expenditure through promoting efficiency in administration.
But whenever he talked about "tax cuts," Blair fired back that this really meant "spending cuts," and thus a reduction in government services. Polls show that people are much more concerned about the rickety transit infrastructure and the aged, dreary schools and hospitals than they are about tax rates. Hague sharply pared back his tax-cutting plan for the campaign, finally promising "Conservative tax relief" totaling about $12 billion over two years.
However, even fewer now think Hague's other main campaign theme, tax, is an important issue. This election is evidently regarded as a referendum on the euro. More than 60% of the British oppose to join euro. The Conservatives have put it very politely, refine their strategy. On May 25th, William Hague said this election was the last chance to save the pound. This worried some Conservatives who very much wanted to save the pound but very much fear they will not win the election. Hague had just linked his fate and the party's fate with the fate of the pound .
They are also different in diplomatic policies. Arisen trouble among EU states, Labour Party try to solve this problem as firmly establishing status of Britain in EU while Conservative Party lay emphasis on improving relationship between U.S. and U.K.

III. A heated election campaign
Campaign is growing intense according to the election day is near at hand. The Conservatives have launched a poster campaign urging voters to burst Tony Blair's "Bubble" and deprive him of a landslide victory. The prime minister has accused the Tories of trying to sneak into Downing Street by the back door and has called for a strong mandate for Labour. The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, are trying to attract support away from both parties.
The Tories are attempting to head off that prospect with a poster featuring a grinning Blair inside a bubble about to be burst by a pin and the slogan: "Go on, burst his bubble." There is speculation that the campaign move actually amounts to an admission that election defeat looms and the Tories's target now is to limit Labour's majority.
But Labour is seeking to play down expectations of a landslide, and to avoid the so-called "Queensland effect" This refers to the Australian state's election in 1995 when opposition parties triggered a last minute surge in votes, against the odds, after apparently throwing in the towel and asking voters to limit the size of the government's majority.
Tony Blair described the Tory strategy as a "desperate last throw of the dice" He added: "The Conservative strategy now is to sneak in through the back door and it's important, if people believe in the strong economy we are providing and investment in public services, then come and give us your strength and support."
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, buoyed by gains on 3rd June opinion polls, moved to win over disillusion Labour and Conservative supporters. The overall picture from the polls published on Sunday suggests a grim election verdict ahead for the Conservatives with Labour leads of between 12% and 23%. The Lib Dems are between 10% and 19% behind the Tories.
He said "It also sends a very important signal to the Tory party that the country needs decent and effective opposition politics if there is to be a second term Labour government."

By Kwon Hye-mi
Reporter of International Section