Notes on Britain's campaign trail

Editor's note: Erick Harris, a graduate of Central High School in Cape Girardeau, is spending a semester in London for an internship in Parliament and is writing about his experiences.

LONDON -- In the past four weeks Tony Blair, Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy have schlepped across the United Kingdom campaigning to be Britain's next prime minister. Though the United Kingdom is roughly the size of Oregon, these party leaders have still managed to log thousands of miles in a fashion similar to candidates in American presidential elections.

As the election grows closer, each candidate has increasingly hammered away at his respective manifesto while berating the manifestos of the other candidates. Last Thursday, each got the opportunity to do it in person by participating in an American-style debate. Unfortunately, the organizers must not have understood the "American-style" part. Candidates came out one by one and never got the opportunity to interact with one another.

Charles Kennedy, whose party is polling third, sat in the hot seat first. His topics focused on taxation and Iraq. In this process, Kennedy explained why he would increase taxes, saying that he would create a more fair tax system. Kennedy further explained his position on the war in Iraq and his plan to reduce the number of British soldiers there. Though he is not the most charismatic leader, I thought he looked the most natural of the three candidates.

Michael Howard, whose party is polling in second place, went next. His topics focused on immigration, Iraq and taxes. He believes that immigration is spiraling out of control and advocates stricter border controls. Howard also supports the war in Iraq but claims that he would have entered the conflict for reasons surrounding the leadership style of Saddam Hussein, not disarmament. Lastly, Howard described his plan to cut taxes by 4 billion pounds, assuring that appropriations for essential services like health care and education would be left unchanged.

Finally, Tony Blair took the stage. His topics focused on Iraq, taxes and education. Blair stands by his decision to enter Iraq with the United States. Responding to claims that if elected prime minister again he would raise taxes, Blair asserted that the United Kingdom has lower taxes than most of Europe. Blair also claimed that new university fees have created a fairer system of education and continues to stand by that decision. After his interview, I thought Blair looked apologetic and not commanding.

In my opinion, each candidate did an outstanding job outlining his proposals and protecting his party from damage. As the election approaches, local candidates will be knocking on more doors, leafleting at train stations and making phone calls to reaffirm their party's message. Each prospective parliamentarian candidate wants to win their election and make their leader prime minister, but more importantly, each PPC wants to make the United Kingdom a better country.

On May 5, Britons will have a difficult choice to make that will affect their lives until the monarch next dissolves Parliament. And though they do not directly elect their head of government, their vicarious choice will be made clear by selecting either a Liberal Democrat, Conservative, or Labour local candidate. Who would you chose?

Erick Harris attends Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.