Whomever the individual electorate casts his or her vote tomorrow, one result is almost assured: there will be an anti-Tory, as well as an anti-Labour majority (this naturally applies to the Liberal Democrats too). If, for example, the Conservatives were to form a government on their own, and if the opinion polls are reflected accurately, then at least 60% of the vote-casting Britons will have actively opposed them.
The first-past-the-post system works well for a country dominated by two parties. However, this system also limits the electorate’s choice by forcing the voters to choose one or the other, and quite often the lesser of the two evils.
Even if the Tories were to manage to form a government on their own, whether by enjoying a slender majority or as a minority government, they will face an uphill struggle to convince the majority of Britons that a Conservative government represents their interests. Given the utterly disastrous fiscal situation, it seems sensible to seek a consensus on deficit reduction and the budget.
The country needs leadership, desperately, and sometimes being a leader requires the ability to compromise and build a consensus.