I'm back - with predictions!

Well, the new year has arrived, and with it has arrived a new resolution to dedicate myself a little more to updating this blog. Apologies for falling off the radar... winter does not agree with me!

Anyway, we are in the first week of the new year, and with it comes the usual 'predictions for a new year'. I've been cruising the blogosphere for predictions and some of them (especially from non-Tory bloggers) are often somewhat overly optimistic. For example, the prediction that the Scottish Nationalists will hold the balance of power in Westminster after the election are pretty unlikely.

So, the inevitable predictions for 2010:

1) David Cameron will be Prime Minister after the General Election

2) The election will see the North/South split continue, with Conservatives winning overwhelmingly in the South, London, and the Midlands, while failing to make a major breakthrough in the North (although winning more seats) or Scotland.

3) Gordon Brown will be Labour party leader until the General Election

4) The election will result in a Tory majority government

Moving to international affairs:

5) The Australian Liberal Party will defeat Kevin Rudd's emissions trading scheme bill a third time, which will result in Rudd calling a General Election - which will result in another Labor victory (although with a reduced majority)

6) The US healthcare bill will not pass before February, and the final bill will not contain a public insurance option

7) The Republicans will gain between 3 and 5 seats in the Senate

8) Republicans will take control of the House of Representatives

9) The Mexico City climate change meeting will still not result in binding commitments, mostly due to continued Chinese intransigence

10) The cap and trade bill will not pass the United States Senate