Battle of the Bastards: 1996 General Election (Result Announced)

[Blair]

Sorry for my ridiculously long time in updating these timelines.

1996 Autumn General Election.

'Who Dares Wins'

Michael Portillo shocked the usually staid Tory faithful who had gathered in Bournemouth, by proclaiming that he would call a General Election in November, declaring that 'He Who Dares Wins'. After surviving a no-confidence motion in the Summer, and struggling with the revelations about his homosexual past,  Portillo had struggled to bring any life to his government, who's narrow majority of just two, limited his choices. Despite a relatively health Economy, and low unemployment rates, The Tories heavily trail Labour by up to 20 points in some polls, and falling behind John Smith in personal ratings many commentators expected Portillo to struggle.

What is clear is that his risk caught the entire political world off-guard, including Tory Chairman Michael Ancram who was heard joking 'Michael seems to enjoy jumping out of the closet.'' Labour, and John Smith had not prepared for an early election, and faced a rush to persuade the public that after 17 years out of power, they were ready to return to government.

Conservatives

Prime Minister Portillo outlined an ambitious program called 'Millennium Britain.'' (Which lead Mo Mowlan to joke, that he Portillo was 'a poor man's Han Solo') Promising to keep Britain out of the Euro, new legislation to guarantee no further integration with Europe, and a reduction in the basic rate of tax, along with a reduction in stamp duty. Portillo is hoping, like in his 1995 leadership campaign, that an energetic campaign, drawing on support from the right, can inspire and turn out traditional Tory voters. Portillo has challenged Smith to a series of TV Debates, urging Smith to 'come clean about his agenda'.

Labour

Lead by John Smith, a former Cabinet Minister in the Callaghan Government, and a long serving Shadow Minister in the 1980s and 1990s, many expect to see Mr Smith in front of No.10 after the campaign. Promoting himself as a 'friendly bank manager', Smith promised to 'steer us out of this long Nightmare' after the 1992 Black Wednesday Economic crash which saw interests rise. Smith is also running on a steady, social democratic platform of increased investment in Education and the NHS, Supported by two young Modernisers, in Shadow Chancellor Gordon Brown and Shadow Home Secretary Tony Blair, many wonder what a Smith Government will really look like.

Liberal Democrats

After the revelations about Portillo's personal life, the near fall of his Government and the announcement of a snap election, the Liberal Democrats have struggled to get much coverage. Despite rumours that Paddy Ashdown might step down, the former Royal Marine continues to lead the Liberal Democrats. Promising to clean up the 'stinking mess' in Westminster, the Liberal Democrats are promising a referendum on PR voting, new acts of devolution for the regions of England and a pledge to put one pence on taxes to fund investment in Education.

[Kingpoleon]

We need a gay guy at Number 10.

[America's Sweetheart ❤/𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖙𝖞 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖗]

I'd probably vote for the Liberal Democrats.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Protillo, but only to support him in Gaygate. I'll probably switch to the Lib Dems starting from next election.

[Blair]

Bump 7 hours left

[Leftbehind]

We need a gay guy at Number 10.

No we don't. Labour.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

If we're just going by party leaders, then LibDem, otherwise Conservative.

[Blair]

Mr Smith Goes to Downing Street

Labour: 48% (433 Seats)

Conservative: 32% (152 Seats)

Liberal Democrats: 18% (46 Seats)

After the shock announcement of an election that the Tories were presumed to get humiliated in, many questioned just how high Labour's majority would be, and just how the Tories could claw their way back. For the first week it seems that whilst many voters were at best apathetic about the election they certainly admired Portillo for taking a risk; with 63% of voters both supporting the snap election, and believing that it showed Portillo had 'bravery''.

Indeed the weekend after the election was called some polls had the labour lead cut down to only 10%; with private polls and constituency returns showing equally cheery numbers for the Tories. However this was cut short when a serious of scandals rocked the Tory Party; firstly the collapse of Neil Hamiltion's Libel trial against the Guardian, secondly the revelation in the Sunday Times that Norman Lamont had been promised a peerage, and possible support in a bid to become the head of NATO, after retiring in return for supporting Portillo during the no-confidence motion. The final nail in the Tories coffin was the revelation that taxpayers money had been used to support William Hague's former advisor, and alleged lover; in what the the Daily Mirror dubbed 'Cash-for-kisses'.

The campaigning period itself however proved better for the Tories; Portillo's dire personal ratings improved during the campaign, despite Smith refusing to attend a TV debate. However the roll-out manifesto suffered a grave mishap when former Chancellor Ken Clarke was caught on camera deriding it 'as a worthless piece of economic lunacy', a phrase that was repeated by John Smith, and Shadow Chancellor Gordon Brown throughout the campaign. Labour's campaign proved effective at keeping the message on the Government's own economic failings; with a leaked campaign memo urging MP's not to attack Portillo over his personal life. Indeed the one remarkable thing about the campaign was how few MP's or voters particularly cared about the issue.


The final polls predicted a moderate Labour majority of between 50-60, with some modernisers privately complaining that the party should be aiming much higher. Indeed the Prime Minister told allies he would try and stay leader if he won more than 35% of the vote. However these hopes were scuppered when the 10 pm exit poll showed a remarkable result of 48% for Labour; which gave the party it's largest majority in history, and showed that much like Clement Attlee in 1945, John Smith's reserved, quiet but steady leadership had preserved over the flashy, but baggage ridden Portillo.

Cheers could be heard from the Labour HQ at Walworth Road as a serious of scalps where earned as the night went on; Home Secretary Ian Lang lost his Galloway seat to the SNP, Defence Secretary Malcolm Rifkind lost his affluent Edinburgh seat to Labour. Indeed rumours abound that the Prime Minister himself could be under threat as two recounts were held, with Portillo holding on by just 12 votes. In an emotion ridden speech the Prime Minister declared that he 'had tried my best, for Britain. That's all that matters now'' before announcing his intention to retire from politics.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Not a 10 Downer of a result.