The New Labour era limps to a close

Politics ends in exhaustion. The end of the New Labour era is scored deep across Gordon Brown’s crumpled countenance. All that remains of the energy and excitement that swept the party to power 13 years ago is the mantra that David Cameron’s Conservatives would ruin things.

The votes have yet to be cast in Thursday’s general election. Until they are counted the prime minister will cling on to the hope that something might turn up. Perhaps Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats will indeed break Britain’s political duopoly – or at least deprive Mr Cameron of a governing majority. Maybe, just maybe, Labour could hold on in a coalition.

Mr Brown’s colleagues do not sound hopeful. Many are rehearsing the excuses for defeat. Some are laying plans for the blood-letting they expect to follow. Will the party swing left into the hands of Ed Balls, the prime minister’s long-time protégé? Or will David Miliband, the foreign secretary, keep it rooted in the politics of the centre left? Read full article in the Financial Times...

Democracy

End this discredited voting system for ever

"For five years this paper has fought for electoral reform. Britain now has a historic chance to end our unfair and discredited voting system for ever." On the eve of the British general elections, The Independent once again argues for an overhaul of the British first past the post electoral system, an issue that has dominated the campaign with the emergence of outsiders the Liberal Democrats as a third force in UK politics. "A party's representation in Parliament should represent its level of support in the country. The way to convince the public that their vote truly counts is to make it a reality. There is also reason to believe that electoral reform would open the door to a new era of self-confident, progressive politics in a range of areas – from Europe, to the economy, to wider constitutional reform."

The Independentrepublishes its post-2005 election front page that showed the dramatic gap between the parties' share of the popular vote and the number of seats they held at Westminster. Approving Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg's campaign for electoral reform, it also lauds his party as "convincing champions of civil liberties, sound economics, international co-operation on the great global challenges". The London daily calls on "progressively minded voters to lend their support to the Liberal Democrats wherever there is a clear opportunity for that party to win".