AS SOON AS ONE ELECTION IS OVER PREPARATIONS BEGIN FOR the next. Governments shape their programmes with an eye to what will retain and enhance their popularity, while their opponents seek to discredit them and parade their own more superior wares. Although' at times parties become enmeshed in internal wrangles that damage their standing, and even proclaim their attachment to policies which alienate potential support, as the day of the election draws near they concentrate their attention on winning. Internal disputes are set aside, unpopular policies dropped and attractive ones highlighted.

An election was not needed until June 1988, five years after the first meeting of the current Parliament, but during 1986 the signs were that the government was clearing the way for an election in 1987 if the auspices were favourable. The Queen's Speech of 1986 was light in its legislative proposals, and controversial and complicated measures that would have bogged down parliamentary proceedings, such as the privatization of water or compelling local authorities to put a range of their functions out to competitive tender, were postponed. During the spring of 1987 the government increased the production of decisions to court the voters.