Britons to Vote April 9; 3rd Party May Get Pivotal Role : Politics: Major and opposition leader Kinnock both express confidence. But a shaky coalition could result.

Prime Minister John Major ended weeks of speculation Wednesday, announcing that the British national election--a contest that promises to one of the closest in years--will be held April 9.

Both major parties, the Conservatives and Labor, have run neck-and-neck in public opinion polls, although Major is generally judged to be more popular than Labor leader Neil Kinnock.

But with a strong showing by the third party, the Liberal Democrats, the election could result in a deadlocked Parliament, with no single party gaining an absolute majority and with a resulting shaky coalition government.

Major decided to seek the early election date, advisers said, to capitalize on Tuesday’s budget, which decreased taxes for lower-income wage earners. He also acted to end speculation that he was wavering on the timing of the election, which had to be called before July.

Major summoned his Cabinet on Wednesday morning to announce his decision, then visited Queen Elizabeth II to ask permission to dissolve the current Parliament, elected in 1987.

“We will win the election with a clear and working majority,” he declared. “I have no doubt of that.”

Labor’s Kinnock was no less confident, saying that Major had ended his “dithering and delay” and that Labor is ready to give Britain a “fresh start” after the Tories had left it in “deep recession and debt. It is we who are getting a running start, and we will be going through the tape first at the end of it.”

Liberal Democratic leader Paddy Ashdown said his party will fight “in every seat for every vote,” adding: “We have established a firm springboard and enter the election with considerable confidence.”

Major, who succeeded Margaret Thatcher after an internal party struggle in November, 1990, told reporters outside No. 10 Downing St.: “I have been prime minister for 16 months. There is a lot that I want to do in this country. We have got a stack of new ideas to take government closer to the people and make sure that people have more choice, that they have more opportunity.”

As in the United States, Britain is in the midst of a serious recession, and political commentators say that voters probably will decide this election based on the perception of which party can return prosperity to the country.

Labor must win by almost a landslide to deprive Conservatives of their huge majority--almost 100 in the 650-member House of Commons. Polls do not show that Labor possesses such strength.

The Tories gained power under Thatcher in 1979 and won again in 1983 and 1987.

The Candidates

The British leader whose party wins a majority in the 650-member House of Commons becomes prime minister. Here are thumbnail sketches of the top candidates in April’s general election.

John Major, 48

* Succeeded Margaret Thatcher 16 months ago as Conservative Party leader.

* A man of charm with a sometimes diffident manner, he is more popular than his party. Most people, polls show, blame the global economy or Thatcher, rather than Major, for Britain’s recession.

Neil Kinnock, 49

* Has hauled the Labor Party to the center of the political spectrum and within grasp of power after 13 years in opposition.

* A gifted orator and a man of boisterous good humor, Kinnock fires up the party faithful, particularly in the working-class valleys of Wales. Polls show that Kinnock is less popular than his party.

Paddy Ashdown, 51

* Leader of the third-place Liberal Democratic Party, he has no hope of becoming prime minister but could play kingmaker if the election is close.

* A former marine commando with a derring-do political style, he ranks higher in personal popularity than Major or Kinnock in the polls.

Source: Associated Press