Tories fear dangers of political gridlock

Published on Monday 26 April 2010 22:39

TELEVISION viewers who have not completely tired of party political election broadcasts will tonight be treated to one by a new political force – the Hung Parliament Party.

The broadcast is the latest stunt by the Conservatives to combat the increasing likelihood – according to the polls – of a hung or balanced parliament where no one party holds a majority.

In a "them or us" situation the Tories will try to paint the choice as being a Conservative majority or a coalition of the other parties.

The tactic appears to be mocking Labour's position in the polls where a majority now seems impossible, and the talk of the Liberal Democrats and other small parties, including the SNP, of the benefits of a balanced parliament.

And the Tories are handing out Hung Parliament Party red rosettes and badges to underline their message.

In the broadcast the "Hung Parliament Party" promises that victory will mean decisions are made in backroom deals behind closed doors, and there will be frequent elections, no decisions made and an economic crisis as the markets react negatively.

The campaign will also include a poster of Gordon Brown walking back into Downing Street underlying the Conservative message that a hung parliament will just keep Labour in power.