Political horsetrading to follow tightest-ever poll

BRITAIN was weighing a beleaguered yet experienced incumbent against an untested but charismatic Conservative rival – along with a surprise upstart contender – in an election yesterday that was so close it could yield an uncertain outcome and prolonged political turmoil.

Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown was trailing in the polls against Conservative David Cameron, with Nick Clegg of the perennial third-place Liberal Democrats gunning for a historic strong showing that could catapult his party into the ranks of the heavyweights.

But polls suggested a good chance no party would win the absolute majority needed to govern effectively.