And theyre off

The month-long election campaign that has just kicked off in the United Kingdom promises to be epochal in at least three respects. One is obvious: its the first election since the 70s in which most people remain deeply unsure of the outcome. In 1992,the Conservatives narrow victory under John Major flew in the face of a conventional wisdom that had already anointed Labour leader Neil Kinnock prime minister.

There are two other ways,however,in which this election deserves to be closely watched,particularly from India. For the first time,a British election will be accompanied by televised debates between the prime ministerial contenders. This isnt the first time the ideas been broached. John Major turned Kinnocks request down in 1992; in 1997 he asked for one against Tony Blair; Blair refused,perhaps fortunately for Major; and in 2001,Blair turned down another Tory request. This time,however,the Conservative leader David Cameron and Nick Clegg,the charismatic leader of the Liberal Democrats,decided to do it,and embattled PM Gordon Brown couldnt afford to be left out. Whether this development leads to parliamentary elections being viewed even more as presidential races between PM candidates will be watched carefully here.

The other possibility cuts even deeper. As of right now,though the Tories should have a comfortable lead in terms of votes cast,the most likely outcome will nevertheless be an unprecedented hung parliament. This might mean the LibDems will be called into coalition with Labour. But the LibDems price is known,and public: constitutional changes that revise the first-past-the-post system,which introduce some form of proportional representation and thus ensure that they,perennial third-placers,are transformed into permanent kingmakers. Brown has signalled his willingness to compromise on this already. We might be close to the moment when Westminster abandons the Westminster system.