A JUMBLE of parties spanning a riotous spectrum of ideology from romantic nationalism to social democracy to parochial populism, thrown into the mix of an unpredictable campaign and none able to win a majority: Britain’s general election on May 7th has a distinctly European flavour. That will be even truer after the vote, as the parties scratch together a government. Whatever programme emerges may deviate considerably from all the campaign promises. “Britain has lurched from a paragon of stability to something beyond Belgium,” says one Eurocrat. It is ironic that Britain should learn the vagaries of continental-style politics just as it appears to be drifting towards exit from the European Union. Despite this, Europe seems curiously uninterested in Britain’s election. In France and Germany elections can bring EU business to a grinding halt. But now, consumed by crises from Greece to Russia to migration, the EU is paying little heed to the quirks of a grumpy island in its north-west. Election coverage in France and Germany has been muted. That is a pity, for this election may have a decisive influence on Britain’s position in Europe....
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