Everything You Wanted to Know About the British Election, but Were Afraid to Ask

Britain is voting for a new parliament, and, by extension, a new government.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband attend a Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony at Central Hall Westminster in London on Jan. 27, 2015. AP Photo/Chris Jackson

What is Britain voting for on May 7?

Britain is voting for a new parliament, and, by extension, a new government. The election will decide the composition of the House of Commons, and ultimately, who will be prime minister. At the same time, there will be elections for local tiers of government in certain parts of the country.

Who could be prime minister afterwards?

Although there are a large number of parties competing in this election, only the leaders of the Conservative Party and the Labour Party have any real chance of becoming prime minister. Either Conservative incumbent David Cameron will win a second term and so continue as prime minister, or Labour leader Ed Miliband will walk into Downing Street once a new government has been formed.

Opposition Labour Leader Ed Miliband (L) and British Prime Minister and leader of the Conservatives David Cameron speaking at campaign events. Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images