BarTalk

Would you have welcomed a general election this year?

John Ellis

Crown Inn

Oakengates

Shropshire

No. As someone who has worked in local Government and as a independent town councillor I know how much elections cost the public purse. I think Gordon Brown would have won, although probably with a reduced majority. I'm not happy with the current leadership, but there would have been no point in an election this year. It causes disruption in schools and other places used as polling stations.

Alan Dreja

Royal Oak

Southampton

Hampshire

Yes. I'm not happy with the way that this country is being run and I want the Conservatives back in. The last 10 years have been awful - the country's really gone to the dogs. The Tories have got the best chance they've had for ages. Labour have done a few good things for the trade but it looks like they might be repealing the 24-hour licensing law, which should have been called flexible drinking hours.

Steve Haslam

Cutter Inn

Ely

Cambridgeshire

Yes. The Conservatives will be better for the UK, a new face, new ideas and strong policies. Gordon Brown's Government is the end of the trail for Labour. Britain deserves a fresh start. The Tories have popular policies, like the proposed cuts on inheritance tax. Brown leans too far towards Europe; we're going to end up getting governed from Brussels. The Tories will do more to keep Britain British.

Tricia Baldwin

Goat & Tricycle

Bournemouth

Dorset

Not really, I don't think it will make a great difference to those of us in the trade. I think it would be best to see what happens over the next 12 months, then the public can make an informed choice based on what Gordon Brown's Government has done for us. It will also have been very costly and Labour would probably have won anyway - so what would have been the point?