alternatehistory.com

...The second general election in less than a year was fought entirely on the record of the Hague government and the question of who could govern a "truly united kingdom", with both Labour and the Democrats pointing to the abysmal showings the Conservatives had outside of England. Hague's failure to give the Conservatives another majority had immeasurably shaken his previously unassailable position as Tory leader and as soon as the results of the previous election were known, whispers began about a potential leadership challenge by members of the cabinet.

The prime minister's bids to shore up support were nothing short of disastrous. Poorly prepared PR stunts led to embarrassing photos of Hague being taken by the gathered press, which of course were run by the opposition in attack ads. The PR bids were seen as signs that Hague had become desperate and overstayed his welcome. Labour began rising in the polls as Labour soon going after Democratic votes after a leaked Democratic memo appeared to signal that the centrist party would not look into coalition negotiations with either Labour or the Conservatives- even if it meant a third general election in as many years.



As a result, Labour won a comfortable majority of over 40 seats and Murphy entered 10 Downing Street as the new prime minister. Hague announced his retirement and would soon be replaced by former Home Secretary David Cameron. The Democrats, despite losing votes, picked up two more seats on the downturn of the Conservative fortunes. Hughes lost his own seat in the Labour wave and would end up being replaced by Susan Kramer, who became the first female leader of a major British party.

An increase in the vote share of regional parties and new parties like John Redwood's National Party and the Green Party has led political observers to wonder if Murphy's Labour majority will soon become the exception instead of the rule in British politics in the future. For now, however, the Labour Party's rule over Britain for now looks safe. Prime Minister Murphy has made waves with his stated intention of making the House of Lords into an elected body and pushing for Britain to keep its role as an "active participant in global affairs" and keeping military spending high despite moves to cut the deficit elsewhere. Only time will tell if the young prime minister (who has not even turned 50) will continue to lead Britain long into the future or if he is doomed to a premature retirement...