LONDON -- The campaign leading up to the June 7 election has been dominating the news in Britain. The Labor government is described as center left, but its policies are generally more conservative than those of the Liberal Democrats, who are really social democrats. The Conservative opposition have been struggling to undermine the Labor Party's lead in the polls, and in an attempt to appeal to populist sentiment have become more nationalist and right wing. This has put off many floating voters.

Despite a tendency to preach and a rather faded image, Prime Minister Tony Blair remains more popular than William Hague, the Conservative (Tory) leader. It is difficult to see Hague as a prime minister, and many think that the Conservatives after the election will need a new leader who can lead the Party back to the center. The problem for any new leader will be to demonstrate that Conservative centrist policies will be more effective than those of Labor.

All the parties recognize that the main desire of the British public is for better public services, especially in education, health and transport. These sectors have been consistently underfunded for decades. As a result, British infrastructure has fallen behind. Lower standards mean a fall in living standards and increasing consumer dissatisfaction.