The Party System: Deep Frozen or Gentle Thawing?

Events in 2004 revealed that the political parties in Britain were gearing up for the general election expected the following year. As such, there was much jockeying for pole position. In the end, however, the story of 2004 was remarkably similar to the story of party politics in 2003 and indeed for the last few years. Labour’s position in the public opinion polls seemed unassailable despite the apparent unpopularity of the government and the Prime Minister. Notwithstanding success in the local and Euro elections, the Conservatives struggled to pose as an alternative government. The party found itself fighting on three fronts, against Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the UKIP. The Liberal Democrats started the year in a state of uncertainty but ended it emboldened by their byelection victory in Leicester South and the knowledge that their leader had asserted control over the party-at least for the time being.