Britain elects its government today

LONDON: Campaigning in Britain’s most unpredictable election in a generation entered its final day with the two main parties level in most polls and neither on track to command a majority in the parliament of the world’s fifth largest economy.

Despite five weeks of campaigning, neither PM David Cameron’s Conservative party nor Ed Miliband’s opposition Labour has a clear lead, teeing up a potentially messy and uncertain outcome after Thursday’s vote.

The stakes are high because of a rare confluence of factors which mean Britain’s future in the European Union, as well as its national cohesion, could hinge on the result. Cameron has promised to hold a referendum on whether to stay in or quit the EU if he returns to power.And polls suggest Scottish nationalists could emerge as the third largest party , despite losing a plebiscite last year on whether Scotland should break away from the UK.

Five years ago, Britain got its first coalition government since WWII since WWII when Cameron fell short of an overall majority and struck a deal with Clegg’s centrist party to govern together to steady the economy. Many Britons thought that was a one-off. But the rise of fringe parties like pro-independence SNP and the anti-EU UKIP has drained support from main parties.

A TNS opinion poll on Wednesday underscored how close the contest is, putting the Conservatives 1 point ahead of Labour, indicating neither of the major parties will win majority.

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Source:Timesofindia