General Election Thread

The cries of foul would still be made if he avoided the inquiry appearance by Calling the Election, that'd be a very useful piece of ammunition to opponents. That's why I dismiss the suggestion of March.

Meanwhile, in 1974, Robin Day is still sat talking to politicians on BBC Parliament. What's particularly noteable about this coverage is that there were no gimmicks, obviously no fancy graphics/footage, just straight forward..well...gloominess.

Imagine if we get a 'hung parliament' this year! Can just see Vine and Paxman... "Jeremy? Thank you Jeremy and of course YEEEHAA COWBOY..This is Brown, he's out but along comes Cameron ... ooooh dear me he's not got there either! David back to you. "

Cries of foul there may be, but they wouldn't achieve much. The election will be fought on the issues and the platforms set out by the parties, as the Conservatives have been successful in doing thus far. It would be far more effective NOT to refer to the Chilcott Inquiry (or make allusions to the fact that the PM may have used the election as a means to avoid giving evidence). By referring to the Inquiry and the legality/illegality of it, the Conservatives would risk drawing attention to the fact that they themselves voted for it in the House.

Having done a little bit of investigating though, there's no reason at all why the PM couldn't do both, ie., give evidence to Chilcott Inquiry and have an election on 25th March. If the PM gives evidence on either of those two dates suggested (3rd or 4th March), the earliest date upon which an election could be held (calculated according to the 17-day timetable suggested by Parliament) would be 22nd March (21st March being a Sunday). Equally, I should correct myself with regards to Easter. There no longer exists any legislation that prevents the election being held on Maundy Thursday (1st April). If one sets aside any moral or religious convictions and principles, then the PM could appear at the Chilcott Inquiry on 3rd or 4th March, dissolve Parliament anytime between 4th and 8th March, and hold the election on Maundy Thursday.

Of course, those dates and timetables all assume that the election will be held on a Thursday out of convention. There is no legislation or statute that expressly requires that an election must be held on a Thursday. If so inclined, the PM could pick Wednesday, 31st March as Polling Day. All of the results would be known by the close of business on Thursday and Parliament could effectively remain shut until the following Tuesday to take account of the Easter recess.

It may also seem a gamble and a tad suicidal to call a General Election so quickly after giving evidence at the Chilcott Inquiry but if the polls reflect the current narrowing, the gamble on the PM's part would be that it can't get much better.

I think we can safely say after today's presentation that the poll will be after Easter.

WRT Voting on Maundy Thursday, that's a non starter, whatever the law might say, the count wouldn't start until the Tuesday after Easter. No Council is going to tool up to count on Good Friday because of the religious ramifications, cost and indeed getting the largely volunteer count staff. Councils do not use their own staff now thanks to some crazy interpretation of the WTD, lack of Civic Duty and the attitude of their internal bean counters.

This time around too Maundy Thursday is 1st April so the jokes of having an election on April Fools Day would be intense.

1997's election was on the Thursday before a Bank Holiday weekend.

Yes, but that was before the bean counters struck and it was a single day holiday on the Monday. Activating Councils over Easter to count would be madness.

This is Gordon Brown we're talking about.

And..?

He's mad!!!!111!!!!!1!11!!1! lololololollololololololo!

Video pieces for the election site (and interactive map) were recorded today, and the touch screen unveiled too.

The political blogger Paul Staines, aka 'Guido Fawkes' is reporting that BBC News has shifted to 'Red Alert' and is expecting an election announcement this weekend.

Political gossip but interesting...

Sounds like things could be about to get interesting. It does make sense. The revised GDP figures for Q4 2009 are due to be announced tomorrow, and if they indicate an increase, then it would substantiate claims that we are now in recovery. Add to that the reports that this Sunday's Observer will have further revelations in it about the Prime Minister and that the Conservatives are holding their Spring Meeting this weekend, then it would all suggest that Labour is about to steal the limelight and call call the election.