British general election: Ireland looks on

Irish people will be looking with more interest than usual at political events in the UK today, as the British electorate goes to the polls. Whatever the outcome of the general election there, it is likely to have a profound effect on many people on the island of Ireland.

Leaders of the main parties are engaged in a frantic last drive for votes in a general election that both the ruling Tories and opposition Labour have described as the most important in a generation. Final opinion polls have suggested that while the Conservatives remain out in front, they were still not guaranteed an overall majority in the new parliament.