For my English readers

If you are still undecided about how to cast your vote on Thursday please read this . It quotes David Cameron as saying that he joined the Tory party because, during the Thatcher years, he felt that 'they were his people.' Does one need to hear anything more? No matter how badly Labour has let down its supporters and constituents, compromised its principles and held power for a decade in which economic inequalities have increased, there is something much, much, worse lurking in the time-warp. But this is the threat that Labour always throws at people (like me) who are instinctively anti-Tory.

When the election was called I was tempted to impose a month long media black out on myself. I couldn't see any good result. A failed and tired Labour party or a return to the politics of ****ing the poor and appealing to greed? Maybe I am mistaken but I fail to see any thought behind Tory policies other than self interest, a misplaced belief in imperfect markets (that are supported by state institutions) and a suppressed desire to resurrect the days of Empire. (But it could be worse - at least they don't share Republicans' convictions that they 'have god on their side).

But old habits die hard (and I am a political and election junkie) and the possibility of a third party holding the balance of power caught my imagination. It offers the opportunity of changing British politics forever. Not just because it will change tribal behaviour and lead to government by consensus - but also because it will expose the cracks that exist within the Labour and Tory parties over issues such as equality and Britain's relationship with Europe. A hung parliament offers the opportunity to revitalise the two main political parties and drag them out of the 19th Century and into the 21st. Its long overdue.

Who knows, by the next election we might have genuine choices with a 'real' socialist leading the Labour party and a proper 'Little Englander' leading the Tories. At least the choices would be clearer.