2015: the Oyster Card election
In 1918 Conservative and Liberal electoral candidates were given a signed letter from Lloyd George and Bonar Law stating that they were supported by both leaders. Asquith famously called the letter a coupon and the campaign has been known as the ‘coupon election’ ever since.
The UK’s next general election isn’t scheduled until 2015. Despite that, there has been talk of some sort of informal pact between the Conservative party and the Liberal Democrats already.
At yesterday’s PM and DPM press conference, David Cameron said that it was likely that the coalition partners would fight the campaign separately.
Likely is not certain.
It is doubtful we would have a ‘coupon’ election. But we just might have an ‘Oyster card’ election.
What that means is that candidates from both parties would campaign on their manifestos but refer to the successes of the coalition. More importantly, like an Oyster card, they might top-up their manifesto pledges with commitments that cut across both parties.
A lot can happen in the next four and a half years.
If we do have an ‘Oyster card’ election, remember you read it here first.
Tags: Classical Liberalism, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats