Campaign begins for most unpredictable UK election in years

LONDON, (AP):

British Prime Minister David Cameron paid a farewell visit to Queen Elizabeth II yesterday, the first day of formal campaigning for the most unpredictable United Kingdom election in decades.

The royal audience, possibly Cameron's last as prime minister, came as Britain's Parliament was dissolved ahead of the May 7 vote.

Voters failed to produce a majority for either the Conservative or Labour parties in the House of Commons in 2010, and the electoral landscape is even more fractured now. Smaller parties, such as the Scottish and Welsh nationalists, Greens and anti-Europeans, could hold the balance of power in May's vote.

While issues such as Europe and immigration will play a big role in the campaign, the Conservatives and Labour are both focusing their messages on the economy.

Cameron said a Labour victory would mean higher taxes and threaten Britain's recovery from the Great Recession.

But Labour leader Ed Miliband argues that for many voters, that recovery "feels like it's happening to someone else, somewhere else." He kicked off the campaign with a speech aimed at reassuring business that Labour won't increase tax and red tape.