Snap Election

But Annie could the LibDems possibly do well enough to hold the balance of power again? Maybe a lot of people whom the polls currently suggest would vote Tory would choose LD if Farron accepted that he would have to work with them if they had the most seats?

I hope that T May will withstand any pressure on her to hold an early GE ( the Conservatives would win easily) but I think the country at large has had enough of
Referendums/elections and needs a period of quiet stability whilst the Brexit negotiating goes on this year.

The conservatives know this is a great time to increase their majority, UKIP in a tangle and Corbyn the most unpopular leader the party has ever had

A sure Tory five year government

I think you've just about summed it up anniebach. That's why some Conservatives are pushing for it. They don't need to worry about Ukip either.

I thinks that is what she fears Iam64. The next few months are going to be interesting.

PS. If you're a betting person, George Galloway is 25/1 to win the Manchester Gorton by-election - and he hasn't even confirmed that he's going to be a candidate!

An election now would give the Tories a far larger majority , increase the Lib vote and the Libs will not work with Corbyn

Fitzy54, I suspect you speak for many people. May was a Remainer but I accept that once elected leader, she had no choice but to work effectively towards Leave. I don't understand her Hard Brexit approach unless she, like many Tory leaders, fears a backlash from the anti European Right in her party.

Section 2 of the Act also provides for two ways in which a general election can be held before the end of this five-year period:[2]

If the House of Commons resolves "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government", an early general election is held, unless the House of Commons subsequently resolves "That this House has confidence in Her Majesty's Government". This second resolution must be made within fourteen days of the first.
If the House of Commons, with the support of two-thirds of its total membership (including vacant seats), resolves "That there shall be an early parliamentary general election".

The Conservatives could certainly manufacture a situation where a simple majority would force an election, but it would mean replacing most of the current government. I did wonder a few days ago if that was what some back benchers are up to with their treatment of Hammond, etc, but I was shouted down on here.

I don't think two-thirds would call for an election without a vote of no confidence.

Farron has stated that he would be willing to support Labour, but not with Corbyn. If LibDem support keeps increasing, they might be persuaded to go for an election, especially if they do well in the May local elections, but I can't really see it. I think they'd wait until Corbyn has gone and see if Labour has a leader they could work with. IMHO

To be honest, I don't really know how the Fixed-term Parliament Act works, as it's never been tested. I don't think May can just call an election, which is why I think she'd have to be forced into it.

I thought it was a simple 2/3 majority vote - wouldn't have to involve a no confidence motion? If the govt. want a GE I think they should be able to get enough support from the other parties.

Well, Iam, I voted Tory last time but am in no way wedded to that party. I would have something of a personal dilemma. I think Brexit, at least a hard Brexit, will deeply damaging and would love another democratic opportunity to reverse the referendum. However In my view a Corbyn govt. would be an economic disaster. I would worry that a LibDem vote would be wasted or might result in a that party propping up a Corbyn govt. I would vote for them if they stood on a platform of supporting the biggest party on an issue by issue basis with stated caveats, including no support for hard Brexit. I can see many in the centre who have deserted labour or who who voted Tory but don't like hard Brexit going the same way.

I'm not exactly sure of the procedure or the law, but I think an election can be forced if the HoC wins a vote of no confidence. I think there has to be a two thirds majority.

I suspect some Conservative backbenchers would be happy to vote for a resolution of no confidence. Labour would be nuts to vote for it, but who knows? They might find themselves manoeuvred into agreeing. Diane Abbott seems to think Labour would win!

Things have changed so much since the last election, particularly with the result of the referendum that I can see the appeal to many Tories of an early general election. It seems inevitable it would lead to a greater majority for Theresa May which seems hard to believe given the continued attacks on public services and the nhs.

The Fixed-term Parliament Act would make it very hard for TM to call a snap election.

I for one couldn't face another election!