PM set to announce that there will be no early election.

[LyraSilvertongue]

I always thought he'd be mad to risk losing the premiership so soon after waiting 10 years to get it.

Yeah, but how would you run a democratic system that didn't allow three consecutive terms with the same party in power, if that's what the electorate voted.

Personally, I'd like voting made compulsory, with an option of 'none-of-the-above, so that people actually felt like there was a chance of their voice really being heard, and politics making a difference. Because right now, you either vote for the spivs on offer, or not at all, and they know they can stay in power with some piffling little percentage of the country voting for them. It sucketh.

Sorry, Tinker, didn't make myself clear there. I don't mean it should be written into law, just that I don't think it's healthy/good for the country.

America has fixed terms and that's what stopped the (hugely popular) Bill Clinton being elected and put that chimp Bush in power. If Clinton had been allowed to go for a third term there wouldn't have been an Iraq war.

As I said, I have never suggested legally limiting a third term... just that personally I don't like the idea.

chisgirl - I think, it all happens naturally though. A party stays in power for so long that the other parties either become more attractive as a reaction or have to reinvent themselves if party in power doing ok and all parties converge towards the middle - as per now. Notice that the tories have seen a surge in popularity re teh IHT thing = appealing to right wing views. ie have had to distinguish themselves from the convergent middle ground

But fixed elections doesn't have to mean restricted terms.

I think Blair said he would serve a full third term before/during the election, then once he was safly in power said he'd step down. Oh I can't remember, its too late.

yes, I'd agree with that, Tinker! And with that I really am off. No, really.... I am...

Yes, and I'm halfway down 2nd bottle of wine - am 43 in 1 hour, tis allowed

Happy Birthday!

Thank you