Cleggmania

''This timeline is very early in its development and is prone to changes. Apologies for inconvenience caused.''

The first ever televised United Kingdom prime ministerial debate was held on 15 April 2010 and it featured a strong performance from Nick Clegg, and resulted in an unprecedented surge in support for the Liberal Democrats. What would have happened if Clegg had continued to dominate the two remaining debates, as well as maintain strong ratings in the polls? This timeline explores the possibility of a Liberal Democrat government - the first since the 1920s - if the election was cast on 1 May 2010.

Points of Divergence
On 7 June 2008, the European Union asked its member states to all consider using alternative vote or D'Hondt. The United Kingdom's elections are now held under the alternative voting system thanks to a House of Commons vote in favour, supported by Labour (in a bid to win back voters) and the Lib Dems.

On 15 April 2010, domestic policy was the key theme of the first ever televised prime ministerial debate. In instant polling after the event Nick Clegg was judged the clear winner. This debate caused a large, immediate, and unexpected impact on opinion polls in favour of the Liberal Democrats.

In the second debate on international affairs, Clegg once again came out best in the instant polls with David Cameron very closely behind. Clegg, having received such a surge after the first debate, was judged to have fended off the Labour Party and Conservative Party attacks successfully. Gordon Brown was judged to have drastically improved his performance, and David Cameron was judged to have overcome the nerves that commentators believed affected him in the first debate.

On 29 April, the third debate was dominated by Nick Clegg. At the end of the debating night, the Liberal Democrats had gained a 6% lead over the Conservatives and a 11% lead over the Labour Party.

On 1 May 2010, the country went to the polls.

Party events

 * 11 May 2010 - Gordon Brown resigns as Leader of the Labour Party due to his loss.
 * 3 July 2010 - David Cameron resigns as Leader of the Conservative Party due to his loss.
 * 25 September 2010 - David Miliband is elected Leader of the Labour Party.
 * 17 October 2010 - Theresa May is elected Leader of the Conservative Party.