Britain General Election 2010: voters go to the polls in tightest election in decades

elford and Wrekin Council employees prepare the Iron Bridge Toll House in Shropshire as a polling station for the Parliamentary and Local Election

Millions of people across Britain will today go to the polls in the most tightly-contested General Election in a generation.

A string of eve-of-election opinion polls gave David Cameron's Conservatives a clear lead over Labour and the Liberal Democrats, but suggested that the Tories will not reach the level of support they need to claim an overall majority in the House of Commons.

With around 50,000 polling stations opening at 7am today, there was more uncertainty about who would eventually emerge as Prime Minister than in any election since 1992 and a real expectation of a hung Parliament for the first time since 1974.

On Wednesday night David Cameron urged the public not to allow fear to “triumph over hope” as he sought an outright victory with a final appeal to millions of undecided voters.

The Tory leader completed a gruelling 36-hour campaigning drive across the country with a pledge that he could make Britain better.

Margaret Thatcher returns to 10 Downing Street for the official unveiling of her new portrait -But reported banned inside scare bad publicity

Baroness Thatcher poses on the steps of 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, before Mr Brown helped Lady Thatcher safely down the steps

Lady Thatcher poses next to Richard Stone's portrait but said she couldn't decide if it was 'good or bad',but she said 'I like it'

She might have preferred to be shaking the hand of a new Conservative prime minister.

But Baroness Thatcher had to make do with Gordon Brown yesterday as she visited Downing Street for the unveiling of her portrait.

The Prime Minister and his wife Sarah were happy to pose with the former Tory leader outside No 10.

But once inside, cameras were banned from the ceremony to unveil the portrait by Royal artist Richard Stone.

A formal picture of Lady Thatcher was later released alongside the painting.

Some speculated that Mr Brown feared images of him paying homage to the Iron Lady would go down badly with certain Labour MPs.

A spokesman for Lady Thatcher said of the media ban: 'It was always a question for No 10. Lady Thatcher was very relaxed about it.

'But it was always their call.'

The former prime minister is believed to be the first living politician to have her portrait hung in the official residence.

Although photos of all modern prime ministers line the main staircase, only two 20th century premiers have paintings on display: David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill.

The portrait, which depicts her just after the Falklands War in 1982, will go on permanent display in the stateroom's lobby on the first floor.

The guest list for yesterday's event, drawn up by Lady Thatcher, included Tory leader David Cameron - who entered No 10 via a rear door.

During the reception, Mr Brown paid tribute to Lady Thatcher's ' determination, resolution and courage'.

After Mr Stone removed the cloth, she delivered her verdict: 'I'm not sure if it's good or not, but I like it.'


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