The Guardian has thrown its support behind Labour to win the general election.

The newspaper, which backed the Liberal Democrats at the 2010 election, said that the Conservatives-Liberal Democrat coalition “experiment has clearly run its course”.

“This newspaper has never been a cheerleader for the Labour party,” explained an editorial posted on Friday, headlined “Britain needs a new direction, Britain needs Labour”. “We are not now. But our view is clear. The overriding priority on 7 May is … to stop the Conservatives from returning to government and to put a viable alternative in their place. Labour provides the best hope for starting to tackle the turbulent issues facing us.”

On Thursday, the Sun used a front page featuring a baby David Cameron with the headline “It’s a Tory” – a reference to the impending royal birth – to deliver its official backing of the Conservative party.

In a parallel move, the Scottish Sun announced its backing of the Scottish National party, accompanied by a front page featuring party leader Nicola Sturgeon brandishing a light sabre in a mock-up of Princess Leia from Star Wars with the headline “Stur Wars”.

On Thursday, the Financial Times and the Economist declared support for the continuation of a Conservative-led coalition.

The Financial Times said the coalition has proven that “European-style cohabitation can work”.



While pointing out that it has “no fixed party political allegiances”, the business paper said the economy is in “far better shape” than in 2010: “The Conservatives’ economic record ought to provide a winning hand.”

“There are risks in re-electing Mr Cameron’s party, especially on Europe,” explained the FT. “But there are greater risks in not doing so. At this delicate moment, the best outcome would be a continuation of the 2010 coalition between the Conservatives and Lib Dems.”



The Economist, which is 50% owned by FT parent company Pearson, used the same rationale of an improving economy for the continuation of a Tory-led government.

Other newspapers have not officially declared their allegiances, but the Daily Mirror remains as ever staunchly in the Labour camp, while the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph are equally as committed to a Tory victory.

The Independent leans towards a favourable view of Labour, while the Times is closer to its stablemate the Sun in backing the Tories.

