4 ms·

More amazing if they voted against an election, with the inevitable implication that the current regime is doing a good job and they don't want to take over rig

• nicky0 10y ago
  This is why I have always thought the fixed term parliaments act is a nonsense. What opposition would ever vote against the motion to call an election?
  • Silhouette 10y ago
    One that expected to be in a worse position afterwards than before, presumably. For example, a party whose MPs are mostly opposed to the current leadership and think it will cost them a lot of seats they currently have if an election is held.
    • nicky0 10y ago
      So the Labour party then.
• Silhouette 10y ago
  It's all about politics and probably an element of self-interest now, though. Public perception doesn't actually matter in our system until the next election, whenever that is. So, if opposition MPs want to put that off for another three years, everyone currently sitting as an MP keeps their seat by default, the Tories are still in charge but still only with a narrow working majority, and those in opposition parties have only three years to wait for another shot after cleaning house instead of five years. I'm not sure whether that sort of rebellion is a realistic prospect given the views expressed so far today, but I think it would be a rational position for opposition MPs to take given the current unpopularity of both Labour and the Lib Dems among the general public.