The term in the UK is 5 years plus 28 days from the previous election, hence 4 June 2010 being the next date for the election.

Historically in the UK, Primie Ministers dissolve Parliament anything up to a year prior to the end of the term to take advantage of good economic or political conditions. This has become such a typicval thing in fact that 'hanging on' for the full 5 year term is now considered an act of political desperation. However it worked for the Conservatives who won the 1992 election, but not for them in 1997, when they held on to the VERY bitter end.

No. 5 years after the last election he must hold an election. What this thing about Gordon choosing to have an election means is that the PM could decide to _prematurely_ have the election. In Gordon's case, not doing this may have been the last straw: His government is not regarded as legitimate because he was given the office by Blair rather than winning it in an election. Had he started the election when he got into power he would have got a similar result to Blair and styed in power for another 5 years. Since he didn't he appears illegitimate and will certainly lose the next election if he doesn't get kicked out first.

Gordon Brown ought to get kicked out first, but I think all the remaining ministers will either toady or resign rather than challenge him.

But why is that any better than fixed elections?

My last post was at Invictus; Submariner beat me to the post.

Its better because it allows for more flexibility. If parliament isn't functioning (ie its functioning at a US congress like level) then the government should dissolve and reform. Sitting governments can try to take advantage of situations by calling early elections but it almost always backfires on them because votes don't like constant elections or opportunism.

Also... is this another thread Submariner? Really? Didn't I tell you?

@Invictus - because in the case of serious political events the Government can be replaced. The UK convention is that there will be a general election if the Government loses a vote of confidence in the House of Commons. Alternatively, a Government can seek a mandate for a significant new policy. Finally, a Government may attempt to gain tactical advantage in the timing of an election. Of course, it is the electorate who decide whether they were right to do so.

In short, it is more flexible and so makes the Government more accountable.

@Centurian
At least this wasn't a Witch hunt (at least not of anyone on this site)

Yep, what they all said. However, going for the tactically best time is a bit of a gamble. When Brown was very new in the job, it was suggested he would hold an election very soon. Indeed, had he done so I think he would probably have won. However, he didn't and delayed it. Having delayed it, things started going downhill, so he delayed it further. And further. And now is just going to stay there until he gets told to leave. Forced to leave

Well Gordy was 11 points ahead in thepolls coming out of his party's conference last September, then the week after the Conservatives announced they wold abolish inheritance tax. Because property still had value at that point, that was a wildly popular masterstroke and the Cons went 11 points into the lead in the next polls and Gordon famously bottled it.

And regardless of anything he has done since, that is how he will always be remembered.

He got booed today by D-Day veterans. His days are numbered.

@ Centurian, warned me about what?

All good points, I just can't get over the idea that the sitting government decides when to call an election. I guess that's just the American in me.

It's a good thing we don't have that. If Congress actually was efficient and got to enact all the nonsense the wanted we'd be lost!

We do have fixed terms for everything else. In one sense we have a five year fixed term for Parliame t, which we will certainly see used this time around.

I suppose tho when I started he bread it was more to find out whether people think Brown will make it through this weekend rather than til next year!