British elections to have Obama flavor

Next year's elections in Great Britain may look very familiar to American audiences.

And why not? Former political advisers to President Obama have signed up as consultants to the two major British parties.

The Labor Party announced last week it has retained the services of long-time Obama strategist David Axelrod.

Last year, the Conservatives -- led by Prime Minister David Cameron -- retained Obama's 2012 campaign manager, Jim Messina.

Cameron is expected to be challenged next year by Labor leader Ed Miliband.

The Washington Post notes that British politicians have hired U.S. consultants in the past, but "it is unusual for a sitting American president to have two of his most prominent former campaign gurus working on opposite sides of an election that will determine who leads the government of Washington's closest ally."

Reports The Post:

"Already, both Miliband and Cameron are sounding out themes that will be familiar to anyone who followed Obama's 2012 campaign. Miliband speaks often of a 'cost-of-living crisis' for Britons and says the current government has widened the gap between rich and poor.

"Cameron has countered with evidence of an improving economy and has urged his countrymen not to hand control back to a Labor Party that oversaw Britain's descent into recession before being ousted after 13 years in power."