Readers see Cameron in No 10

Dubai: The Conservatives have been snapping at the heel of Labour for a while with opposition leader David Cameron ready to move into 10 Downing Street. With Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg part of the merry mix, the future looks rather bleak for Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Gulf News did a one-on-one survey with the newspaper's British readers, who were of a similar opinion.

The elections are scheduled for Thursday. Most readers believe the Conservatives will win, bringing some much-needed relief in the current economic climate.

Track record

Steve Kingston, a 53-year-old Briton based in Abu Dhabi, said: "[The] Conservative Party has a good track record, Labour tried but failed, [this] indicates that Gordon Brown will lose. The Conservative Party is the best to go forward and do something. Labour has been there for almost 13 years but couldn't do much [for the country]."

Terry Vaughan, based in Sharjah, also spoke in favour of a Conservative win as he felt that "it has encouraged expatriates to live and work abroad". The 57 year old was neutral about the three parties and their abilities to tackle issues. He said: "The three parties are not [much] of an interest [to me] because I live abroad. [But] I sincerely hope that politicians are able to tackle [the issues]."

Malcolm Kemp from Abu Dhabi was not optimistic at all. The 70 year old said: "They [the parties] have not fully adjusted to the problems in the past and [will not adjust] in the future. They are too weak."

Commenting on which party was likely to win the current elections, he said that the Conservatives would take the most seats but "they do not have the power to rule over all the others. No one has a clear majority, which is bad for the country."

Kemp added: "Economy [and] immigration ... [problems relating to] public services, healthcare and health facilities [need to be addressed], if they have to get the economy right. [Then] problems will be solved in the country."

Tim Crowe, 47, residing in Dubai was of a different opinion. He said: "[The] Liberal Democrats will gain higher number of seats compared to previously.

"[Elections are] unlikely to bring change. The Conservative Party [and] Labour Party [both have a policy to] tax expatriates. [But] policies of the Conservative Party are of more interest to Britain's economy.

"The core reasons for UK polls this time is economy. [The election is important] to rescue the British economy, particularly the borrowing requirements, [and to monitor] how services are going to be funded. In general, politicians make a lot of promises, but fail to fulfil them. Promises are easy, actions are difficult."

Thirty-two-year-old Harry Maltby, based in Dubai, agreed. He said: "The Labour Party has been there for the past decade; they have done nothing, but get the nation into debt. The Conservative Party will help solve the situation.

"Immigration [is the key issue]. [Because] too many people are coming to the UK, the tax collected is going to people of different nationalities and not to the British [citizens]," he added.