Things can only get better? A Westminster tale.

Today Gordon Broon asked the Queen to dissolve Parliament. And Big Swifty, ever up to date with the latest tomes, is currently reading "Things can only get better" by John o'Farrell. For those that need a reminder, it was published in 1998, and is a personal account about surviving 18 years as a labour supporter during the conservative government. It's a very nostalgic book, with amusing stories about political people that I had forgotten. And of course it's interesting to read it with the benefit of hindsight, knowing what has happened after the book ends with the Labour win in 1997.

"A plague on both your houses" is said by some pundits to be the attitude of the electorate to all our politicians, and interest in the general election may be at an all time low. On the other hand, there are hundreds of new prospective MPs, with many current MPs not seeking re-election, and The Now Show suggested that the voters will be keen to show their feelings by voting for new faces rather than the old guard.

As a Trendmonger by profession, I'm fascinated by the possibilities for the election this time round. Will the newer media be used? Only this morning they were talking about the election buses going on the road, like we're still in the 1950's. And will it be the usual grey vote that decides who's next, or will the under 40s at last become engaged in the process, and get down to the polling station? There was a fascinating item on Radio 4 looking at whether 16 and 17 year olds should be given the vote, and also should more weight be given to the issues of the elderly (especially as it would be expedient for the politicians, as the older people proportionately vote the most). The conclusion of the youth and oldie reps was that they just want a bit of dignity introduced into the whole process.

So what will actually happen with our public and our politicians? All our questions will be answered during the next month.