By April 2008, it was clear the economic crises that had swept the globe were about to take its toll on the 300 year old United Kingdom of Great Britain. The drops in the nation's stock exchange, the FTSE 100 in the City of London and a collapse in consumer confidence had caused the economy to stall. On April 16, the Government committed to withdrawing the UK's armed forces from Iraq in an attempt to cut the budget deficit. However, the ongoing campaign but Coalition forces in Afghanistan continued apace, largely ignored by the media in light of the recent withdrawal from Iraq. Demands for elections increased significantly in the run-up to May, the traditional time of year for local and national elections. However, the Prime Minister prevaricated leading the resignation of the Chancellor f