1987: Margaret Thatcher wins her historic third election victory.

The United Kingdom has the oldest electoral system in the world. Dating back to 1172, when King John placed his signature on the Magna Carta, it has remained largely unchanged to this day. The process of choosing a new leader, which can seem complex and arcane to those from outside the country, is explained here.

The Prime Minister Calls the Election
A term of the UK parliament lasts five years. Before this time is up the Prime Minister may call a General Election. In an age-old, untelevized ceremony, he visits the Queen, wearing an ermine robe and carrying a large staff made from the charred remains of Clarence House — the location of the signing of the Magna Carta. Tradition states that his head must be shaved in the manner of King John (in the shape of the crucified Christ); however, nowadays a bald wig is used instead. The Prime Minister knocks on the inner door of Buckingham Palace three times, the Queen answers with a cup of tea, and from that moment the government is considered a 'caretaker' administration for four weeks, after which a national poll must be held.

Votes cast in previous elections. (Source: Bob)

How the Country is Divided
Unlike most countries, proper accountability to the electorate is ensured by having one Member of Parliament (MP) for each local constituency. The MP, who need not live in or near the constituency, or know anything about it, sits in parliament and may debate the issues of the day. Although parliamentary votes are taken, the MP is instructed how to vote, and the process is purely ceremonial.

The UK is split into one hundred constituencies: one for each English county, and one each for Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. When the election is called, the MPs visit their constituencies: they have just four weeks to persuade the local people that they are worth voting for.

Newspaper coverage can make or break an election campaign.

Canvassing
From many possible candidates, each constituency must decide who will be their MP. They will have the opportunity, in the months before the poll, to see the candidates debating, arguing and publicly fighting their opponents. In some of the more backward constituencies (eg. Cornwall) these brawls can turn nasty, with witchcraft and wizardry sometimes used. In the meantime, the richer political parties will run adverts and take part in debates on television. Newspaper editors may be paid in future honors to swing votes: in the UK this is perfectly legal providing no-one admits to it.
In addition, each party produces a manifesto: a glossy document containing policies and promises the party would like to fulfill, should they be elected. At the end of its term of office, a government is tested by the High Court to verify that the manifesto commitments were adhered to; if they were not, severe reprimands may be printed in the classified sections of some local gazettes.

Polling Day
A national holiday is taken on the day of the poll. Throughout each constituency disused buildings (usually schools and libraries) are taken over by the army and made ready for voting. Printed on each polling card is a secret code number which the voter must read to the invigilator (usually an old woman), who says "what love?" before writing it in the official book. After the count the code number may be used to match the polling card with the name and address of the voter, assuring complete confidentiality. When the votes are counted, the party with the highest number of MPs wins, and they will be officially asked by the Queen to form the next government. By its unique, tried-and-tested system of constituency MPs, British democracy ensures that no small parties are allowed anywhere near the reigns of power.

2001: Electronic voting is commonplace.

Polls of the Future — and Beyond
In the 1997 election many constituencies experimented with electronic polling. In this system people cast their vote by pressing buttons on a remote keypad stapled to their knees, ensuring that they do not have to move away from the TV. However, after a baby seal became MP for Truro this system was abandoned. For the 2001 election, voters have the chance to vote over the internet through web portals placed in McDonalds restaurants — a first for any country in the world.