The campaign for an early election gathers pace

Travis Bickle

Surely someone with a strong Presbyterian conscience ought to arrive at the conclusion that dissolving parliament and allowing MPs of all parties to let their constituents decide whether they were acting within moral rules is the only way to move forward out of this mess. (except one whose first thought every morning is how he can save his own miserable skin)

Vulture

This is wonderful news! At the very least it will cause severe embarassment for Liebour with the entire oppositon united against them, and knowing the nation wants them out too. MInd you, it could abort any post-polling putsch against Bruin - Liebour can hardly muster against the No Confidence motion when they're fighting like cats in a sack. God, I'm enjoying this.

Mike, Brighton

When will Cameron move a motion of no confidence in the government? He can shame Labour backbenchers that are hanging on for their salaries and their severance pay when they lose their seats. Pigs troughing on public money whilst the country cries out for leadership.

Alf Tupper C.R.O.F.

When it does come - and it surely must be days away - it will be as a result of Mrs Brown sitting him down, making him a nice cup of tea and gently suggesting that it's time and there is no shame in it.

Paul Wakeford

This is just so much fun to watch. I would dearly love an election now but the spectacle is almost too delicious not to wish it to continue for another year.

But please, they should go soon - the country cannot afford the indignity of being run too long by this this joke shop of a government.

AuldCurmudgeon

It really all depends upon how many enemies he makes in his reshuffle.

John Page

Who will be the Labour unfortunates put up to oppose the motion? And will any MPs who are leaving have he gall to vote for it?

Derek

About time too - but why the SNP and Plaid Cymru to take the initiative, instead of the two major opposition parties who are meant to represent the will of the people in times of crisis like this?

Nicholas

In the results of the polling on the BBC 6 o'clock news tonight the figure for those wanting a GE now was not specified - only that it was over 50% - and it was the only result where the % figure was not shown in big white numerals on screen.

Clearly the BBC agenda is to drag things out to the bitter end and not to do anything that might encourage an early election.

Mugabe Brown was shown doing his visiting the kindergarten routine (reminded me of that footage of the ashen fuhrer patting the cheeks of the Hitler Youth outside the bunker) and when interviewed did the usual zoidal "getting on with the job" (drop jaw suck in breath), "right person for the job" (drop jaw suck in breath), etc. All the while with this strange creepy half smile half smirk as though he knows something we don't.

strapworld

Vulture...you say 'entire opposition' Do Not Count on the Ulster MP's! They are charlatans.

Verity

My two penn'worth, I don't think there will be an early election. I think he will manage to stagger on. Sacking Jackboots will have helped elevate him slightly.

Austin Barry

We are not a democracy. An unelected PM - if he lasts - will decide when we have an election. And if he thinks the electorate's anger will have abated a year from now, well, he is madder than all the evidence would suggest.

Andy Leeds

This could turn out to be Gordon the Moron's 'Norway'. Those who remember history will recall that Chamberlain won the vote on Norway, but he did so with Leo Amery's quote from Cromwell ringing in his ears: 'You have sat here too long for any good you have been doing. Let us have done with you I say. In the name of God go'.

When the vote was called Chamberlain visibly winced. He walked out of the chamber a lonely figure, a broken man, for he knew the game was over. A few days later we went to the King and resigned and advised His Majesty to send for Churchill. The rest is history.

Trumpeter Lanfried

Hang on chaps! Hasn't Gordon Brown promised us that appropriate measures will be taken ... at the appropriate time?

It's that sort of stirring and courageous leadership which will get the Labour party through this crisis.

Forlornehope

This is an interesting manoeuvre. It will be that much more difficult for Labour to get rid of Brown after they have all marched through the lobby confirming their confidence in his government.

AuldCurmudgeon

I'm reading Milton's History of Britain. This struck me as curiously apposite:

Thus they who of late were extolled as our greatest deliverers, and had the people wholly at their devotion, by so discharging their trust as we see, did not only weaken and unfit themselves to be dispensers of what liberty they pretended, but unfitted also the people, now grown worse and more disordinate, to receive or to digest any liberty at all.

For stories teach us, that liberty sought out of season, in a corrupt and degenerate age, brought Rome itself to a farther slavery. For liberty hath a sharp and double edge, fit only to be handled by just and virtuous men. To [the] bad and dissolute, it becomes a mischief unwieldy in their own hands: neither is it completely given, but by them who have the happy skill to know what is grievance and unjust to a people, and how to remove it wisely; what good laws are wanting, and how to frame them substantially, that good men may enjoy the freedom which they merit, and the bad the curb which they need.

But to do this, and to know these exquisite proportions, the heroic wisdom which is required, surmounted far the principles of these narrow politicians: what wonder then if they sunk as these unfortunate Britons before them, entangled and oppressed with things too hard and generous above their strain and temper?

For Britain, to speak a truth not often spoken, as it is a land fruitful enough of men stout and courageous in war, so it is naturally not over fertile of men able to govern justly and prudently in peace...

The History of Britain, John Milton, 1670

Dirty Euro

Labour should hold the reshuffle tommorow that would be a boost for the elctions rather than after.

Martin C

If this motion happens, then because of the large Labour majority its success will hinge on the number of Labour MPs who will vote 'Aye', 50 or so are needed. Now, if an MP is ousted at the next election they get a gerat fat payoff of 100k or so, which they dont get if they resign, which is why they are all announcing they will stay on until the next general election. So: no hope at all. They are all turkeys and by hanging on Christmas can be postponed until July 2010.

Boudicca

Even if the debate takes place - and Gordon will move heaven and earth to prevent it - he won't resign.

He is far too subborn and vain. He will only go if he is offered something that can be passed off as a role as an international statesman like Bliar so he can continue with his self-delusions. The trouble is, no-one's offering anything because anyone in a position to do so knows he is incompetent and quite probably, mentally unstable.

He will have to be deposed.