Cameron throws down the gauntlet

Gray

Interesting response from Des Browne on BBC News to Cameron's call for an election:
“[David Cameron] would say that wouldn’t he? It’s boringly predictable that he should call for a general election. I think governments work through by-elections and have done all my political life,”

But, back in October, in his interview to Andrew Brown about "the election that never was", Gordon Brown said that, as Prime Minister, he had a constitutional duty to consider whether to seek a general election when the opposition parties were calling for it. I wonder how seriously Gordon Brown is mulling over this same supposed constitutional duty now..?!

Faceless Bureaucrat

Oh well, so much for Punditry…

I’m sure the PM’s journey to Warwick this morning was a character-building experience.

Oddly enough, calling an early General Election might be the Labour party’s best hope, what with the alternative being a bloody and high-profile Leadership contest whilst still (technically) in power. They could close-down the Unions’ increasing grip on the Party at a stroke and at the same time wrong-foot Cameron, who still has great swathes of constituencies which have not yet selected their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. Knowing how weak many of the Conservative Associations are across the country (indeed, some no longer exist at all), the selection process would be cobbled together in a hurry, which would invariably lead to a number of inappropriate candidates being thrust to the fore (whither the ‘A List’ these days?...). Putting up too many poor-quality candidates may mean that the Conservatives do not annihilate Labour at the polls, but merely beat them.

Labour is bankrupt and some have posted here previously that they cannot afford a General Election. ‘So What?’ – they can simply fight it ‘on the cheap’ – what is the point of a multi-million pound media campaign when you know you are going to lose.

In Opposition, they can then undertake what needs to be done and begin to rebuild their Party (not to mention their coffers) and live to fight another day.

Alternatively, they can continue limping on to oblivion…

Nicholas

How Labour politicians think governments should work is the problem. Invariably it doesn't (work).

General Election please, now!

Oscar

Good point Gray. Frankly I think people will be appalled that Brown has announced he "won't be distracted" by the East Glasgow result. It's like putting two big fingers up at the electorate. People will start to wonder what kind of a democracy this is. As usual Cameron's intervention was well judged and caught the public mood. Brown and co, by contrast, seem set to lock themselves in their bunker as they bring disaster to their party.

TGF UKIP

I ask again - why doesn't Dave nail the Labour Party to their cross that is Brown by declaring that on the resumption of Parliament he will table a motion of No Confidence in Gordon and his Government.

That way every back and frontbencher interviewed by the media between now and October will have to declare his loyalty to Gordon. Then they'll be stuck with the sod right through to 2010.

Hysteria

I agree TGF.

And I reckon tactically, if I was a labour supporter, going to the country in a snap election now might be the least-worst option.

For them, and the country.

I guess IF the economy shows some signs of recovery late 2009 then MAYBE Labour could go 2010 and not get completely hammered.

But if the economic downturn lasts most of (all?) the next 22 months then they are doomed - Doomed Hahahahahah !!!!