Weekly Update 16/09/2010
Posted by Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset, at 09:22, Thu 16 September 2010:
Fixed-term Parliaments, which have been debated this week, is one of those ideas which seems good at first examination but on more careful thought turns out to be flawed. In principle, having five year terms simplifies our system and reduces the power of the Prime Minister to choose a date that benefits him and his party. However, it fundamentally misunderstands the way in which we are governed and the need for flexibility.
All Prime Ministers need a majority in the House of Commons to form a government. This is essential so that the business of running the country can be carried on. A Prime Minister without a majority has to resign and a new one be appointed. If fixed-term Parliaments were really fixed this might not be possible and the government could come to a standstill. As majorities erode and election results are not always clear provision is made for an early election. Unfortunately, this defeats the whole object of the Bill because if a government has a majority it can vote for an early election. Although technically this would be a confidence vote there is no provision in the Bill to stop it nor is there any obvious way to phrase such a provision.
A system dependent on a majority in the House of Commons will always need the flexibility to have an early election. The American system does not need this because the president and Congress are entirely separate. If we want a more American system then a complete change to our constitution is needed. Ad hoc fiddling to meet short-term needs is not the right way to do it.
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