1、CRS.govSignIn|SignUpCRS InsightsThe United Kingdom ElectionDerekE.Mix,AnalystinEuropeanAffairs(dmixcrs.loc.gov,79116)May8,2015(IN10266)2015 Election ResultTheUnitedKingdoms(UKs)generalelectionthatwasheldonMay7,2015,resultedinadecisivevictoryfortheConservativeParty,ledbyincumbentPrimeMinisterDavidCam
2、eron.With331seats,theConservativeshavethenumberstoformasinglepartygovernmentwithanarrowabsolutemajorityinthe650seatHouseofCommons.Afterwinning307seatsinthe2010election,PrimeMinisterCameronandtheConservativePartyhaveledtheUKgovernmentforthepastfiveyearsinacoalitionwiththeLiberalDemocrats,whoheld57sea
3、ts.TheLabourPartysufferedaconsiderabledefeatinthe2015election,withpartyleaderEdMilibandresigningafterthepartydroppedto232seats,downfromthe258itwonin2010.Theresultcameasaconsiderablesurprisetomanyobservers.Intheweekspriortotheelection,pollsconsistentlyprojectedanextremelyclosefinish,anditappearednear
4、lycertainthattheUKwasheadedforasecondconsecutivehungParliament,withnopartyexpectedtowinamajority.TheUKpoliticalestablishmenthadbraceditselfforapostelectionperiodofmaneuveringanduncertaintyinwhichboththeConservativePartyandtheLabourPartywouldattempttoformagovernmentbystrikingdealswithsmallerparties.C