The United Kingdom goes to polls on May 07, 2015 to elect its 56th parliament. Many political parties are contesting but Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democratic, UKIP and Green party are the major contenders for power. However, the key competition will take place between Labour party and Conservative party. According to a survey conducted by BBC, Conservative party top the list in public popularity where 34 per cent people chose to vote for their candidates. Its closest competitor is Labour party which has 33 per cent of public support. Over the last few months, people across the world have been observing a debating war between David Cameron, the prime ministerial candidate from Conservative party and Edward Miliband, his rival from Labour party.
Ed Miliband has announced his policies for a better Britain. His policies include high pay; currently the minimum national wage is £6.50 per hour. Labour party has promised to increase the amount to £8.00 per hour. Labour's second important agenda is National Health Service (NHS). Ed Miliband said, "NHS is our nation's greatest treasure to be protected and nurtured for generations to come with a guaranteed GP appointment within 48 hours, a one-week wait for cancer tests and a £2.5 billion Time-To-Care fund to support more midwives, care workers, doctors and nurses. Ensuring decent, timely health care has a cost."
With regard to immigration policies, Labour has come up with a strict immigration policy. It has recognised the high contribution of immigrants to the British economy. However, British immigration is a matter of concern today. The policies say immigrants can't claim benefit until a certain time and the UK border will be strictly controlled. Miliband's policies encourage education. He has promised that the tuition fees would be decreased to £6,000 from the present £9,000 PA.
EU referendum is a big part of UK 2015 election campaign where Labour rules it out. According to Miliband, "three million British jobs rest on commerce and trade within the European Union. Exiting the EU would damage British jobs, British families, British businesses. I understand the politics that has led the prime minister to play risky irresponsible games on the European Union, allowing his party to drift towards exit. But I won't."
Additionally Labour government will cut business tax, to make it easier for businessman to do business in the UK. Also they promised more competitive business environment in terms of banking and energy sector. Labour also proposed to introduce Mansion Tax.
On the other hand, Labour's main opponent, Prime Minister David Cameron said, "I want to build a better future for Britain". Conservative's main election promise is make Britain an economic giant. It concentrates on childcare. Cameron said, "With a Conservative government, you will get 30 hours of free childcare a week - equivalent to £5,000 a year. So we say to the working parents of three and four-year olds: five thousand pounds of savings for you only with five more years of Conservatives in government."
Conservative plans to increase income tax; however, Cameron made it clear that people with minimum wage earnings will not have to pay tax. He promised for a better health service and stronger defence for meeting the target set by NATO.
Though opinion polls say Cameron has a better chance to become the prime minister for the second time, for real result the world has to wait until May 07.
The writer, a researcher, currently works on South Asian politics and political economy.
shakkhar@ourbsu.org.uk
