Snap Election Anyone?

[Togo]

Rumours of a General Election on 28th February. Could be fun.

"A General Election could be about to take place.
Three Cabinet Ministers and a further six junior Ministers have instructed their local Associations to prepare for a snap election, according to the New Statesman.
They report that four of them have named 28th February as a possible date. This could move fast.
This coincides with a separate report in the Daily Mail, that the civil service have been told to get ready and draw up plans for a sudden election. Both reports came within hours of each other, is something up?"

https://www.westmonster.com/rumours-swirl-of-snap-election-on-the-cards1/

[naomi24]

*too well*

[Canary42]

Since both parties seem to be in the same boat (weak leader, split party), a snap election would only add to the chaos currently extant in Westminster.

[Togo]

I think I mentioned, earlier this week on a different thread, that for the last 2 years we have had the two main parties orbiting around each other and drawing ever closer to wiping each other out with the collision that looks inevitable. Meanwhile UKIP have been quietly campaigning and putting their election ducks in a row ready for what is assumed to be an election some time further down the line. By this time they may well be in a position to do serious damage, particularly if there are millions of disgruntled Brexit voters due to the shenanigans in the commons. Maybe the Conservative/Labour policy wonks are aware of this and between them would rather go to the Country early before UKIP are fully re-armed.

[dannyk13]

Nigel Farage says that if Article 50 is extended he will start a new party.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6607009/Nigel-Farage-says-start-new-political-party-Brexit-delayed.html

[10ClarionSt]

There won't be an election any time soon. Even the thought of losing their place in the commons is enough to put the MP's off.

[ToraToraTora]

GE is virtually impossible. They just had a VONC what would change to get 2 thirds of the house to vote for dissolving parliament?

[jim360]

OG: // Anyway there was no enthusiasm to force a GE in the confidence vote recently so all seems rather unlikely. //

Perhaps it's a case of fast-moving developments? If the talks in the wake of the No Confidence motion go nowhere, then what option is there in order to find a way forward?

Also, while indeed the No Confidence motion was defeated, maybe there is a psychological difference between voting down Corbyn's motion of No Confidence, and Theresa May's suggestion of a snap election.

[ToraToraTora]

I don't see how a GE would make any difference anyway unless both the Tories and Labour split to create to new parties representing remain and brexit.

[-Talbot-]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/19/labour-would-lose-voters-with-stop-brexit-policy-poll-suggests

[jim360]

I suppose it would depend on the nature of the campaign. As long as Corbyn leads the Labour party -- and, therefore, as long as Labour hasn't actually got a stance on Brexit -- I agree that a GE doesn't seem to resolve much. But who can say where the electorate will go? There are all sorts of things it can change even aside from the overall government. We could see the DUP lose seats, could see the Lib Dems and even UKIP gain a few, maybe the Tories+ DUP can now longer form a minority government, etc. Heck, maybe even Theresa May has a proper majority somehow.

[gulliver1]

"Nigel Farage says that if article 50 is extended he will start a new party" Which Brewery will he hold it in .?

[jim360]

Interesting poll, Talbot. I remember a second poll, earlier, which suggests that Labour might also lose voters if it committed to *not* holding a second referendum. So maybe that's why Corbyn isn't showing his hand yet...

[dannyk13]

Jim //Heck, maybe even Theresa May has a proper majority somehow.//
Doubtful, as she has said she will not contest the next General Election.

[jim360]

If there's a snap election then surely there's no time for the Tories to also have a new leadership election? I agree that if the next election is as scheduled then she said she won't stand, but if things move faster it surely has to be different.

[THECORBYLOON]

There has to be at least six weeks' notice of a General election so it won't be in February.

[dannyk13]

Jim, who knows in the crazy world of today's politics.

[naomi24]

An election would create more chaos. It would solve nothing.

[aelmpvw]

//So maybe that's why Corbyn isn't showing his hand yet...//
that's because he's got a pair of twos

[THECORBYLOON]

Although several site's said there has to be six week's notice, Parliament can be dissolved twenty-five working days prior to an election so 28th Feb IS possible.

[mushroom25]

//There has to be at least six weeks' notice of a General election so it won't be in February. //

see the following - the shortest timescale is 25 working days......

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__.../UKPGE-Election-timetable-generic.doc