Will the UK economy improve before the election?
Over the last few days we have seen some disappointing figures regarding the UK economy with headline unemployment slightly down but long-term unemployment significantly higher and an increase in those receiving the jobseekers allowance. We have also seen issues in the Eurozone and a spike in inflation all of which put the immediate prospects for the UK economy in question.
The government will be praying that the UK economy improves before the election as this will offer the best chance of turning voters back towards the Labour Party and away from the Conservatives. However, as the election date gets nearer Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling are starting to run out of time as the ship which is the UK economy is turning very slowly and many believe it could actually make a U-turn towards choppy waters in the short to medium term.
A double dip recession, or a possible treble tumble recession, would be a disaster for the UK government and effectively hand victory at the next election to David Cameron and his new band of conservatives. However, those who start to count their chickens before they have hatched are taking a big chance because ultimately anything can happen between now and election day!
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