The Labour Party has been in power since 1997, and will need to work hard to regain some of the support they have lost since then. The Conservative Party has been steadily clawing its way back up the popularity stakes – perhaps assisted by the recession and increasing support from ‘middle England’. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats could benefit from growing dissatisfaction with the two main political parties, and will be seeking to increase its presence in the House of Commons. In Scotland, the SNP has set a target of 20 seats in Westminster.

Realistically, the First Past the Post electoral system in the UK means that the votes in marginal seats are the most influential. This system also means that despite winning the most votes overall, a party may fail to win a majority in Parliament. Any vote that is not for the winning party in any constituency is effectively wasted, meaning that it can be important to vote tactically. In essence, many will be voting for the lesser of two evils in order to prevent their least favoured political party winning a seat in their constituency.

So putting aside any political scandals and personality clashes, who would be the best leader for the UK? This is the first election since 1979 that leaders of the 3 main political parties have faced a General Election for the first time. Alex Salmond (SNP) is the only leader who has experienced a General Election before. Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Alex Salmond all have a busy few months ahead of them as they try to persuade the electorate to vote for them. Each has their own distinct leadership style and personality. Gordon Brown frequently has his style of leadership challenged, and managers will either identify with or criticise his style of management.

Manifestos will be published once the election campaign begins. However, below is a brief summary of what each political party is pledging in terms of employment law.

Labour Party:

• Has already changed a vast amount of employment legislation.
• Implement the Equality Bill in full.
• Increase minimum wage each year – perhaps substantially.
• Possible extension of right to request flexible working.
• Implementation of 2010 budget.

Conservative Party:

• Review and possibly remove some sections of the Equality Bill – in particular those requiring mandatory pay audits.
• Make changes to maternity leave – perhaps allowing parents 52 weeks leave between them, to be taken as they see fit – even at the same time (only women can take first 14 weeks of leave).
• Extend right to request flexible working to all parents with a child under18.
• Introduction of stronger legislation to prevent discrimination.
• Right for public sector workers to set up employee owned cooperatives to deliver services.
• Review the Agency Workers Regulations, and possibly amend.
• Publishing of all public sector salaries over £150,000 per annum.
• Pay freeze for public sector workers earning over £18,000 per annum.
  

Liberal Democrats:

• Removal of age restrictions to minimum wage.
  Extension of the right to request flexible working to all employees.
• Introduction of gender pay audits for all businesses (exemption for very small businesses).
• Provision for 19 months paid parental leave for all parents, to be divided between parents as they see fit.
• Entitlement to training allowance of £55 per week for interns.