British Presidential Election Timeline 1970-

[Harry Hayfield]

When we get to the end, may I be permitted to post a line graph chart showing the first and second round votes?

[afleitch]

2002.

Desperate to ‘take things seriously’ the Conservatives selected a surprise candidate, former MP and ‘convert on the road to Damascus’; Michael Portillo. Portillo’s selection took place at a special conference in March 2001 giving the candidate a years head start much to the annoyance of the party leader in the House. It turned out to be a blessing. Labour’s selection battle was overtaken by outside events. The 9/11 terror attacks and the response may have boosted Blair’s ratings, but the race itself eventually focused heavily on foreign policy, a field which Portillo had made his own before 9/11. Gordon Brown eventually saw off challenges to secure the nomination believing his record as PM, which saw his government returned in 2001, would resonate with voters. The Liberal Democrats however were affected by the fallout and chose Hughes’ rival of four years previously, Sir Menzies Campbell over front-runner Charles Kennedy.  Salmond, having stepped down as SNP leader, made way for John Swinney. A division in the SNP camp however saw Margaret Macdonald run as an independent. The UKIP secured enough backing to put forward Nigel Farage.

The shock of the early campaign was Nick Griffin’s move to have himself included on the ballot which was secured at the 11th hour under slightly dubious circumstances. Regardless he remained on the ballot and was granted legal airtime. Portillo retained his lead while Brown and Campbell scrapped to secure the second place spot with even the sitting President appearing to be unwilling to throw his weight behind Gordon. What the polls didn’t show was the level of support for Griffin. The exit poll suggested that Griffin would struggle to poll 5%, but as the night progressed it became apparent he would almost double that tally. Portillo’s margin of victory was smaller than he was polling at the start of the campaign and Campbell’s strong showing led him to throw his hat in the ring for 2006.

Michael Portillo (Con) 33.6%
Gordon Brown (Lab) 27.1%
Menzies Campbell (Lib) 23.9%
Nick Griffin (BNP) 8.8%
Nigel Farage (UKIP) 4.7%
John Swinney (SNP) 1.1%
Margo Macdonald (Ind) 0.6%
Ieuan Wyn Jones (PC) 0.2%

The second round was dull by recent standards. The Portillo-Brown debate was famously labeled as ‘a debate between a car salesman and an undertaker’ and turnout dipped. However on election night itself the race was the closest since 1994 and produced a similar result. However Portillo’s victory failed to grace the front pages of the tabloids facing competition from the upcoming World Cup.

Round 2: Portillo 51.2%
                 Brown  48.8%

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Presumably Portillo's running mate was Peter Lilley?

[Harry Hayfield]

The shock of the early campaign was Nick Griffin’s move to have himself included on the ballot which was secured at the 11th hour under slightly dubious circumstances. Regardless he remained on the ballot and was granted legal airtime. Portillo retained his lead while Brown and Campbell scrapped to secure the second place spot with even the sitting President appearing to be unwilling to throw his weight behind Gordon. What the polls didn’t show was the level of support for Griffin. The exit poll suggested that Griffin would struggle to poll 5%, but as the night progressed it became apparent he would almost double that tally. Portillo’s margin of victory was smaller than he was polling at the start of the campaign and Campbell’s strong showing led him to throw his hat in the ring for 2006.

Michael Portillo (Con) 33.6%
Gordon Brown (Lab) 27.1%
Charles Kennedy (Lib) 23.9%
Nick Griffin (BNP) 8.8%
Nigel Farage (UKIP) 4.7%
John Swinney (SNP) 1.1%
Margo Macdonald (Ind) 0.6%
Ieuan Wyn Jones (PC) 0.2%

Is that deliberate or a spelling mistake?

[afleitch]

Sorry - mistake; it should say Campbell.

[Hash]

Will this be continued?