By Finlo Rohrer BBC News Magazine A few weeks ago speculation had intensified to the point that it seemed a near certainty that 1 November would be the day of a general election in the UK. Prime Minister Gordon Brown squashed that notion, but what would today have been like if a poll had been called?
By Finlo Rohrer BBC News Magazine A few weeks ago speculation had intensified to the point that it seemed a near certainty that 1 November would be the day of a general election in the UK. Prime Minister Gordon Brown squashed that notion, but what would today have been like if a poll had been called?
There's an alternative universe where today's top stories are not about obesity, cancer, the post office, immigration or superbugs.
There's an alternative universe where today's top stories are not about obesity, cancer, the post office, immigration or superbugs.
In this parallel world, today's top story is voting in the 2007 general election. Polls would have opened at 0700 GMT.
In this parallel world, today's top story is voting in the 2007 general election. Polls would have opened at 0700 GMT.
Tony Blair will not be grinning with his family at Trimdon polling station
Tony Blair will not be grinning with his family at Trimdon polling station
At 0800 GMT, Prime Minister Gordon Brown might have looked out of his window in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath and noticed that while it was not particularly sunny, it didn't seem likely to rain. With a forecast for a maximum of 15C in the constituency, he would have been satisfied that he had ignored those who said that it would be too cold and wet to hold an election in November.
At 0800 GMT, Prime Minister Gordon Brown might have looked out of his window in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath and noticed that while it was not particularly sunny, it didn't seem likely to rain. With a forecast for a maximum of 15C in the constituency, he would have been satisfied that he had ignored those who said that it would be too cold and wet to hold an election in November.
In much of the country, it is a pleasant autumn day, the sun dappling flame-coloured leaves, perhaps persuading the odd apathetic voter that it might not be too much of a pain to swing by the polling booth.
In much of the country, it is a pleasant autumn day, the sun dappling flame-coloured leaves, perhaps persuading the odd apathetic voter that it might not be too much of a pain to swing by the polling booth.
Manchester, Birmingham and London are forecast to enjoy maximums of 16C and some nice sunny periods. Even Cardiff, Newcastle, Penzance, and Southampton, where the clouds look a little more threatening, will probably not see it bucketing down with rain.
Manchester, Birmingham and London are forecast to enjoy maximums of 16C and some nice sunny periods. Even Cardiff, Newcastle, Penzance, and Southampton, where the clouds look a little more threatening, will probably not see it bucketing down with rain.
Some time before 1000 GMT, many of the party leaders would have voted, political commentator Anthony Howard says. "They always try and vote fairly early in the day and get their mug in the evening papers."
Some time before 1000 GMT, many of the party leaders would have voted, political commentator Anthony Howard says. "They always try and vote fairly early in the day and get their mug in the evening papers."
Gordon Brown would have cast his ballot close to his North Queensferry home in Fife. In another part of Fife, Ming Campbell, still, in this parallel universe the LibDem leader, would have the cameras on him. Conservative leader David Cameron would stroll from his home in Oxfordshire to vote for himself in the leafy constituency of Witney.
Gordon Brown would have cast his ballot close to his North Queensferry home in Fife. In another part of Fife, Ming Campbell, still, in this parallel universe the LibDem leader, would have the cameras on him. Conservative leader David Cameron would stroll from his home in Oxfordshire to vote for himself in the leafy constituency of Witney.
Weather exaggerated
Weather exaggerated
All would have been unlikely to be rained on on their way to the polling station, but Professor Tony King says the weather factor is overstated.
All would have been unlikely to be rained on on their way to the polling station, but Professor Tony King says the weather factor is overstated.
"The weather's influence is greatly exaggerated. Turnout is influenced more by whether people are interested in the election."
"The weather's influence is greatly exaggerated. Turnout is influenced more by whether people are interested in the election."
And there has always been debate about how sporting successes can affect the outcomes of elections. If they help the incumbent, then Brown will be glad he decided not to call an election as it's hardly been a rosy month for British sport.
And there has always been debate about how sporting successes can affect the outcomes of elections. If they help the incumbent, then Brown will be glad he decided not to call an election as it's hardly been a rosy month for British sport.
The rugby feelgood factor fizzled out
The rugby feelgood factor fizzled out
Russia beat England in their key Euro 2008 qualifier and Scotland were embarrassed 2-0 in Georgia. In the rugby, England's surprise run to the final of the World Cup fizzled out, the spirit of euphoria evaporating like morning dew. And Lewis Hamilton, the emblem of the new meritocratic Britain, didn't win the Formula 1 world championship.
Russia beat England in their key Euro 2008 qualifier and Scotland were embarrassed 2-0 in Georgia. In the rugby, England's surprise run to the final of the World Cup fizzled out, the spirit of euphoria evaporating like morning dew. And Lewis Hamilton, the emblem of the new meritocratic Britain, didn't win the Formula 1 world championship.
No political party has really had the opportunity to subtly insinuate themselves into sporting success, because there hasn't been any. Only England's bid for the football World Cup has brought any joy.
No political party has really had the opportunity to subtly insinuate themselves into sporting success, because there hasn't been any. Only England's bid for the football World Cup has brought any joy.
On more serious matters, the fall-out from the global credit crunch has rolled on, there is uncertainty over house prices and shares are in a state of flux.
On more serious matters, the fall-out from the global credit crunch has rolled on, there is uncertainty over house prices and shares are in a state of flux.
One thing would have been different. Sunderland South, usually at the centre of election coverage with its race to be the first constituency to report a result, would have been no more as the boundaries have been redrawn.
One thing would have been different. Sunderland South, usually at the centre of election coverage with its race to be the first constituency to report a result, would have been no more as the boundaries have been redrawn.
Instead it would be the counters of Houghton and Sunderland South who would have been frantically riffling and giving election night TV anchors something to say.
Instead it would be the counters of Houghton and Sunderland South who would have been frantically riffling and giving election night TV anchors something to say.
But otherwise Britain is much as it was at the beginning of October.
But otherwise Britain is much as it was at the beginning of October.
