Do you have a reputable source for this statement, or is it just your opinion?
Yeah some minister said to Adam Boulton a few weeks ago!
With all due respect, Brown (although its really Mandy calling the shots) could call an election at any time between now and June. That minister was probably after a bit of extra publicity, or deliberately dropped that date into conversation as it is the most likely date or to cause a stir. No date has been announced officially. It's just more likely to be May 6th than April 22nd for example!
Campaigning in April is a lot different to campaigning in March. Longer nights and better weather make campaigning in April far more attractive for all parties. Also, I do believe that Brown has outstanding issues about Northern Ireland (devolution of justice) to handle before the dissolution of the parliament. Legislation has to be pushed through in the next few weeks. And if he's superstitious, Labour has won the last three elections held in the first Thursday in May, he wouldn't want to break that tradition! I would be surprised if he calls the election for any other date than May 6.
And if he's superstitious, Labour has won the last three elections held in the first Thursday in May, he wouldn't want to break that tradition! I would be surprised if he calls the election for any other date than May 6.
If he has such a superstition then it's misplaced.
Labour's last 3 wins were in May 1997, June 2001 and May 2005.
Of the last 3 GEs held in the first week in May (1979, 1997 and 2005) Labour have only won 2.
And if he's superstitious, Labour has won the last three elections held in the first Thursday in May, he wouldn't want to break that tradition! I would be surprised if he calls the election for any other date than May 6.
If he has such a superstition then it's misplaced.
Labour's last 3 wins were in May 1997, June 2001 and May 2005.
Of the last 3 GEs held in the first week in May (1979, 1997 and 2005) Labour have only won 2.
Ahh yes, I stand corrected, Foot and Mouth delayed it in 01. Well 3 times lucky.
:-(
A former member
Well remember the April 1992 election? even one believe Neil kinknock was going to win, but John major pulled something out of the bag and won, it could happen this time
Well remember the April 1992 election? even one believe Neil kinknock was going to win, but John major pulled something out of the bag and won, it could happen this time
John Major didn't pull anything out of the bag, so to speak: Kinnock blew his chances in 1992 by behaving like a complete and utter tw*t in the final days of the campaign and putting off enough people who were going to vote for him.
Where as Cameron has been doing that for months and still manages to be ahead in the polls (just).
There are parallels with 1992 of course - Brown became Prime Minister mid term like Major, the 92/2010 elections are/were both at the end of the 3rd term of a party in power. In April 1992 we were in a recession and in 2010 we are just exiting one.
Major was down in the polls leading up to the election and his win was a huge surprise. It's not that dis-similar to the situation Brown now finds himself... but the pollsters, the politicians and the media are more weary now havign been stung back in 1992
It happened in 1970 too, with most polls indicating a comfortable Labour win-- in the end the Conversatives gained 42 seats more than Labour. Some commentators put this and 1992 wins down to the "shy Tory" factor, IE people not admitting to pollsters that they will vote Conservative.
I'm kinda hoping for a hung parliament, mainly because I've never known one before!
I love an election. Not keen on the campaigning or the politics... am more interested in the machinery of it. I worked on some of the coverage of the last General Election and had all the stats, feeds and BBC data in front of me... it was my particular geek heaven
I'm kinda hoping for a hung parliament, mainly because I've never known one before!
I love an election. Not keen on the campaigning or the politics... am more interested in the machinery of it. I worked on some of the coverage of the last General Election and had all the stats, feeds and BBC data in front of me... it was my particular geek heaven
Whilst it would be politically interesting, it would be terrible for the economy. We need a strong government in power, not one with a minor majority or a hung parliament will kill this country and trigger a double dip recession for sure.
