Should There Be A General Election?

[spathiphyllum]

Today Theresa May steps down as PM.

The next PM will be chosen by a handful of unrepresentative Tory party members.

After this, should the new PM call a general election?

[jim360]

In an ideal world, perhaps. But the first test will be if the new PM can command the confidence of Parliament.

[mushroom25]

did Callaghan call a general election when he succeeded Wilson?
did Major call a general election when he succeeded thatcher?
did Brown call a general election when he succeeded blair?

ok May called an election after succeeding Cameron but that was exceptional and was not precedent-setting event in light of previous changes of PM mid-term.

[spathiphyllum]

I just think, the Tory parts has stretched themselves thin with the IP and CUK. I think a general election is needed. The tory party now under represent the UK.

[jim360]

In all three of those cases -- especially the last two -- the new PM was able to command a majority in Parliament. So there was no need. In that sense there still isn't, but clearly given that the new PM will be in charge of a minority government it's more precarious.

[jim360]

There's always going to be some kind of lag between what the public wants and the make-up of Parliament. Even as someone who wants a more proportional system, I'd have to accept that. Otherwise you'd presumably have to change the make-up of Parliament at least monthly, if not weekly, to keep track of the changes.

[mushroom25]

if the new tory leader can't command confidence, there still may not need to be an election. if Corbyn can cobble together some sort of alliance he could be invited by HMQ - there's a precedent for it but admittedly it's unlikely because even with every other party on his side, he would be heading a minority administration.

[spathiphyllum]

"if Corbyn can cobble together some sort of alliance he could be invited by HMQ"

That'd be awful also.

[Boto]

Teresa May has stepped down as Tory leader but not yet as PM.

[ichkeria]

She is still PM but the question is still relevant: should there be a general election?
Yes, in my opinion, for the reasons stated.
It would be fun were one to be called before the end of July :-)
Would the next PM be batty enough to call one? Dominic Raab is going a good audition for the role of Mr Batty just now :-)

[Jordyboy9]

if the new tory leader can't command confidence, there still may not need to be an election. if Corbyn can cobble together some sort of alliance he could be invited by HMQ - there's a precedent for it but admittedly it's unlikely because even with every other party on his side, he would be heading a minority administration>>...>.>please please no way pedro

[naomi24]

//The tory party now under represent the UK. //

All parties except the Brexit party under-represent the UK as far as Brexit goes. In other areas the Tory party represent the people who elected them.

[spathiphyllum]

#VoteForPedro

[ichkeria]

That isn’t going to happen.
There would have to be a confidence vote beforehand in any new administration. Either way in practice an election would be called.

[spathiphyllum]

"All parties except the Brexit party under-represent the UK as far as Brexit goes. In other areas the Tory party represent the people who elected them."

Ah, yes.. Brexit! That dream in the works.

Regardless what the MEP results were, i feel a general election should take place. If the brexit party win, then so be it. However people may have wanted the brexit party as MEP but not PM.

[anneasquith]

Get rid of JC first .

[ichkeria]

The Tory party is destroying itself: you have Raab saying he’d try to suspend parliament and the Peterborough Tory demanding the party deselect and MP who didn’t support “No Deal”.
This is the sort of stuff even UKIP would not have dared come out with in the past.

[spathiphyllum]

JC is the leader of a party who are not in power. His position is fine. The hatred for him is OTT and pedantic. He's a fine man.

[mushroom25]

//If the brexit party win, then so be it. //

….or you can always start throwing things in the belief that the result might get ruled offside.....

[spathiphyllum]

ICH, the reasons i feel a GE is essential. It's a right mess lol. Lets have a vote, and see where we all stand.

[spathiphyllum]

I think if anything it would be Lib Dem over Labour.