The final results of the 2005 British elections have been declared. The Labour Party has won with 356 seats out of 646. That gives them a majority of 67. The majority is counted with difference between the total number of seats won by the losing parties and the seats won by Labour. That’s 356 – 289 = 67. This is a big dive in the party’s majority of 167 from the last elections (back in 2001).

Apparently, this has been attributed by Blair’s involvement in the Iraq war. The British public is still as divided as they were back when it started. This had been a critical issue during the campaign period and there are people who says that Blair’s lucky because he is given another chance.

In all honesty, I wouldn’t know if this win is good or bad for the UK. I was selectively following the different government platforms and promises from each party. Particularly sniffing around the immigration issue. As an immigrant, I would like to know what policy will be upon me albeit I won’t have any voice on the matter. I will have to rely on the public in choosing what will be the best for us foreign nationals. Actually, the issues are more focused on asylum seekers and how to reduce the rates and how to give these people a fair processing on their application. I remember that back in 2003, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (part of the UK Home Office) introduced the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, which is a points-based system for people wanting to migrate to the UK. Once you’ve met the required points and have good justifications of your intentions for coming into the country, then you are allowed to work without any restrictions. One is initially granted leave to stay for 12 months and at the end of that period, you have to renew your HSMP status for another 3 years. This programme gives the flexibility to immigrants to come into the UK without having to find an employer prior to entry, as opposed to the normal Work Permit Scheme where you will require an employer to sponsor your leave of entry and leave to stay. When my work permit expired in 2003, I applied under the HSMP and was approved.

If this was Labour’s brain child, then I’d say that it is commendable. Even if it wasn’t, for me, the fact that it was implemented gives lots of brownie points for the government.

Well, to Mr Blair, all the very best and big congratulations!

On the sides…I learnt that:

• The UK does not have a constitution like the USA does
• The cabinet does not consist of the all ministers of the government; it is a select group of senior ministers
• There is no limit as to how many years the Prime Minister can rule; he or she could step down during the term of his government but as long as his party wins the elections and he or she is the head of that party, then he or she could serve as the PM

I may be wrong in some of these points, including all other topics I’ve touched in this post. I had a crash course on British politics (from my boss!) and believe me, I had everything told to me twice! It was complicated!

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