The momentum is with Cameron

So they’re off! The British will go to the polls on 6 May 2010 and by that date, almost certainly, Gordon Brown will not be warming his toes in Downing Street. Since becoming prime minister, Brown has had to grapple with an international credit crisis. His record on the economy has been damaged and you would think the Conservatives would be miles ahead of Labour in the polls. This is not the case and many in the blue corner must be feeling unnerved.

The only reason the Conservatives are not further ahead in the opinion polls is that voters have not made up their minds yet. Despite the disastrous leadership of Brown, David Cameron’s party may not be sufficiently in front to win outright according to the latest polling. I sense that there will be a tipping point in the next few weeks that will boost the Conservatives and gain them a comfortable majority.

Interviewed on Channel 4 News, last night, the British PM seemed extremely relaxed. Facing a belting from the voters, one would not think he’d be feeling as easy. One reason for this may be that he feels he’s the underdog. Brown must sense that this election will be an opportunity to reflect on his time in power and what he has been largely responsible for. He may be secretly comforted with the thought that Cameron will soon have to answer to the people. This is real pressure cooker politics and one only has to look at Tony Blair’s visage to understand the stress that comes with leading a government.

Regardless of how Brown feels, the Conservatives have the momentum behind them. As the election campaign progresses it will become apparent that any thoughts of a ‘hung parliament’ will begin to fade. This election will, after 13 years in office, be Labour’s swansong and that is the reality of democratic politics. The forthcoming campaign will test everyone’s endurance (yes, even the observer!) and when it comes to an end there will, undoubtedly, be a huge relief as the dust finally settles.

Whilst not one for betting, the FD is almost certain that when the British vote, this year, they’ll be electing the first Conservative government since the general election of 1992. Until this is confirmed we’ll all have to experience an intensive campaign with everything being promised to the voters. Does this remind you of anywhere else?