The Odds: Labour under-dogs

By Sandamali Zbyszewski William Hill lengthened the odds for a Labour victory today. The governing party has been given 8/11 shots to poll less votes than both the opposition parties. The prospects for the party seem so dire in this penultimate day of the election race that the bookies has also given odds on whether […]

Audio: Ken Clarke on hung parliament prospects

Shadow business secretary Ken Clarke tells politics.co.uk he thinks the Conservatives have a “slim chance” of securing an overall majority:

Clegg launches ‘personal guarantee’ to voters

By politics.co.uk staff Nick Clegg has launched a personal guarantee for voters in a final run of leaflets and newspaper adverts ahead of polling day. The Lib Dem leader is desperately trying to maintain momentum ahead of Thursday’s vote, and today’s leaflet makes promises on electoral reform, tax and the economy. “This is my personal […]

Immigration Cabinet ministers’ debate as-it-happens

Follow today’s ministerial TV debate on immigration with politics.co.uk’s live blog. By Jonathan Moore Cabinet ministers’ immigration debate as-it-happens

Exclusive: Ken Clarke says Tory majority chances ‘slim’

By Alex Stevenson Shadow business secretary Ken Clarke has told politics.co.uk he believes the Conservatives only have a “slim chance” of winning an overall majority. Mr Clarke, speaking in the Labour-Tory marginal of Bedford, said his “hunch” was that the Conservatives would avoid a hung parliament. But he admitted that “I can’t ignore opinion polls”. […]

PR not a precondition for Clegg

By Sam Dale Nick Clegg has said electoral reform is not a “precondition” for entering into a coalition. He made the comments after a leaked document to the Sun newspaper revealed Lib Dem demands in a hung parliament include electoral reform and six cabinet positions. In an interview with GMTV, Mr Clegg responded: “I have […]

Tories raise money for second election

By Sabine Klensch The Conservative party has started to raise funds for a second general election despite a new poll showing a Tory lead, it has emerged today. Tory donors have been asked to provide funds for a new election battle to be waged within 12 months, according to the Daily Mail. Despite the party’s […]

Analysis: Tactical voting comes of age

The 2010 general election campaign has broken one of British politics’ greatest taboos: tactical voting. By Alex Stevenson Let’s be clear what tactical voting is: a conscious decision by a voter to back a party other than the one they support, in a pragmatic bid to secure a more desirable result in their constituency. It’s […]

Police investigate postal vote fraud claims

By politics.co.uk staff Police are looking into up to 50 allegations about postal vote fraud. In London alone, the Metropolitan police confirmed 28 allegations had been received, five of which are being investigated. With the election set to be closest political contest on Britain for a generation, authorities are particularly concerned about any irregularities, given […]

Cameron hung parliament defiance ‘could threaten monarchy’

By Sasjkia Otto David Cameron’s pledge to ignore rules allowing Gordon Brown to hold onto power for an extra week after a defeat could spell a dangerous period for the monarchy, said a republican pressure group. The new guidelines drawn up under supervision of Sir Gus O’Donnell, the Cabinet secretary, allow for a one-week delay […]