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by Caribbean Trade Law and Development
The Houses of Parliament, seen across Westminster Bridge in England – Wikipedia

United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister, Theresa May, has today ‘reluctantly’ announced that Britons could be going to the polls in a general election on June 8, 2017, three years shy of the due date of May 2020.

The UK has a parliamentary system of government. Since 2011, parliamentary elections are fixed for every five years pursuant to the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act. However, early general parliamentary elections may be called before the five year period, inter alia, where two-thirds of the House of Commons (including vacant seats) vote in favour of same. In the UK parliamentary system (also known as the ‘Westminster System’) and in most British-inherited parliamentary systems like those in the Caribbean, the Prime Minister is not directly elected. In practice, though, it is the person who leads the party which wins the majority of seats in the House of Commons who becomes the Prime Minister. […]

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129 responses to “PM May Calls Snap Election: Pros and Cons”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    @Prime Minister Freundel Stuart

    A two-thirds majority will be needed. For his part, Labour leader Mr. Corbyn has supported the decision to go to the polls in his statement released on his official Facebook page [BU’s emphasis] following the Prime Minister’s announcement.

  2. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    David,
    The Labour Party is not in disarray; it is the parliamentary Labour Party. There is a difference. The Labour party is the biggest political party in Europe, with more than half of members joining since Corbyn became leader and a large number since the announcement of the general election..

  3. David Avatar
    David

    Time will tell. The chatter seem to suggest a large number not happy with Corbyn’s style of leadership. Also a recent poll shows the Tories will win handsomely BUT it must be stated that campaigning will likely make a difference.

  4. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    No chatter shows a large number of Labour party members unhappy with Corbyn. A large number of voters, yes. All voters are not members of the Labour party.

  5. David Avatar
    David

    In January 2017 Corbyn had to deal with resignations and protest within the party when he agreed with May for triggering article 50 not so? Was that resolved?

  6. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Hal Austin April 19, 2017 at 5:02 AM

    What do you mean by “a large number”? How many people have joined the Labour party since yesterday?

    Where are the facts to support your statement Mr. Investigative Journalist?

    You might be able to peddle your bullshit to those in Barbados and other palaces but you can’t risk that with those on the ground.

    If Corbyn and Labour are so popular with the electorate how come they are trailing 22 percentage points in the opinion polls?

    Watch the Daily Politics Show this morning on the BBC 2 and you will see if your analysis makes political sense.

  7. David Avatar
    David

     
    Labour sees 26,000 members quit party since Jeremy Corbyn reelection as leader

    Up to 7,000 said to have resigned last month following leader’s three-line whip on MPs commanding them to support triggering of Article 50

    • Friday 3 March 2017 07:47 GMT
  8. Well Well & Consequences Observing Blogger Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences Observing Blogger

    And how come Hal is not complaning about the foreigner in the UK government Johnson, who was born in NYC…he only reserves that idiocy for Caribbean people born between islands.

  9. David Avatar
    David

    There is early chatter for Corbyn to abstain from the vote today. Te Prime Minister’s Question Session with Corbyn should be interesting today.

  10. David Avatar
    David

    The SNP is using the about turn to hold a snap election as another opening for Scotland to make another move.

  11. David Avatar
    David

    @Miller

    What is BBC2 saying about the possibility of Jeremy Corbyn losing at the polls?

  12. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Sing your song yah!
    (Jump, jump, jump,) Nyabinghi! …
    (Jump, jump, jump,) Nyabinghi!
    (Jump, jump, jump,) Nyabinghi! …
    (Jump, jump, jump,) Nyabinghi!

    We’ve got the herb (got it!),
    We’ve got the herb (got it!),
    We’ve got the herb (got it!),
    So hand I the suru board,
    ‘Cause most of all we ain’t got nothing to lose. We-e-e-ey!

    I Love to see when ya grooving with the riddim,
    ‘Cause I love to when you’re dancing from within!
    It gives great joy to see such sweet togetherness,
    ‘Cause everyone’s doin’ and they’re doing their best.
    ‘Cause it remind I of the days in Jericho
    When we were troddin’ down Jericho walls!
    These are the days when we trod in Babylon,
    We never stop troddin’ until Babylon falls!

  13. David Avatar
    David

    Who will be backing in the race come 8 June 2017.

  14. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    Britain is at a crossroads – and this election will dictate the very future of our country. Many of the public want us to join forces to help stop the Tories from further wrecking our country for generations to come and we hope you will be willing to at least take the first step and meet with us.”
    Greens call for electoral pact with Labour and Lib Dems to defeat Tories
    Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley say cooperation could ‘stop Tories from wrecking country for generations’
    theguardian.com
    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/apr/19/greens-urge-labour-and-lib-dems-to-form-electoral-pact-to-defeat-tories?CMP=fb_gu

  15. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Miller,
    You are proving yourself again to be simply dumb. The Labour party has the most members of any political party in Europe, most of them joined since Corbyn became leader. People have joined both the Lib Dems and Labour since yesterday. I said he is popular with Labour party members, not the electorate. We will know in the local election and the general election if he is popular with voters. They are not one and the same.

  16. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    Will not surprise me if the Lib-Dems lead a coalition govt after the elections.

    May is looking too much at Corbyn as opposed to the remainers of all parties joining the Lib-Dems….of interest was the report yesterday that within the hour of Mays announcement a 1000 had applied to join the Lib-Dems.

  17. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Black n Bfown people don’t vote for racist Tories

  18. Tony Trotman Avatar
    Tony Trotman

    The 2016 Labour Party (LP) leadership contest indicates that some LP members are unhappy with Mr Corbyn. And do not believe that Mr Corbyn can lead the LP to a General Election (GE) victory.

    GE polls in the UK have proven that they may be inaccurate, e.g. in the 1992 and 2015 GE.

    The United Kingdom’s Independence Party (UKIP) may be perceived as a defunct organisation as a result of Brexit. Will UKIP supporters vote for the Conservative Party to hasten Brexit?

  19. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Hal Austin April 19, 2017 at 6:54 AM

    Now who is more important in a general election for selecting a government?
    The registered members of the Labour party or the UK electorate? Or is that too a “dumb” a question to be answered?

    As PM May asked today during the Prime Minister’s questions session if Corbyn cannot even get the full backing of his own Parliamentary group how in Blighty land can he convince the majority of the voters to back him and the Labour party on June 8th?

    Many in the Labour parliamentary group are welcoming the upcoming election just to see the back of Corbyn as leader.

    A political party divided (as Labour finds itself right now) would find it very difficult, if not Sisyphean in nature, to convince the electorate to trust it with the reins of government especially in these most challenging political times for the UK.

  20. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Miller,
    I have being rude in any aspect of my life, but you are a buffoon. Once again you are shifting the argument when all I pointed out was a fact of Labour’s membership.
    For the record, in December 2015, Labour had 388000 members. By Sept 2016, the second leadership contest, it had 422664, 59.5 per cent of whom voted for Corbyn.
    The party now has 517000 members, the Tories 149800, SNP 120000, Lib Dems 82000, Greens 55500, and Ukip 39000.
    Between 1997 – 2009, the Blair/Brown years, membership actually fell.
    These are figures available in the parliamentary library, that is what a progressive society with a dynamic media does, keep up to date records so citizens can make informed decisions. It is not corned beef and biscuits politics.
    By the way, I am out of this discussion. You – and your supporters – do not know what you are talking about.

  21. David Avatar
    David

    @Hal

    What you need to understand is that many posting on BU live in or have lived in the UK. As we write this we are streaming the UK Parliament website to listen to the robust PM Question session. We have monitored several of the UK networks and the issue being discussed by all of them is the fact Labour appears weak at this stage and Corbyn is fighting dissent with the ranks of the party. With technology people miles across the globe can be as in touch with events as you on the ground.

  22. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @Vincent at 6:56 AM re “Will not surprise me if the Lib-Dems lead a coalition govt after the elections…May is looking too much at Corbyn as opposed to the remainers of all parties joining the Lib-Dems….of interest was the report yesterday that within the hour of Mays announcement a 1000 had applied to join the Lib-Dems.”….

    Your surprise would likely be accompanied by the shock of millions of other Brits to that eventuality.

    Here we again with the bellicose behaviour and prognostications of a political event…noise, noise and fury says that old poet. What’s new!

    What you and others living in England need to remind yourselves with a daily pinch is the fact that a majority of people voted to leave the Union. The country is badly fractured.

    So will a Lib-Dems government presage some actual change to Brext! Unlikely.

    How does that referendum get overturned and the process halted ! It does not!

    And surely none of the other big issues like the NHS improves just so either. ( And neither will any English teams make it to the UEFA finals…a side joke of course…but the serious issue is the impact the denial of free movement of employment contracts in Premier League will have on your landscape)

    How do the Lib-Dems actually round out that very square hole of immigration…how would they govern what is truly a real freaking intractable almost ungovernable dilemma??

    I see no upside for Britain on this issue.

    The elections will become another cantankerous affair over immigration and EU membership and like last time there really will be no peace of mind when it’s over!

  23. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    To Vincent who stated at 6:56 AM re “Will not surprise me if the Lib-Dems lead a coalition govt after the elections…May is looking too much at Corbyn as opposed to the remainers of all parties joining the Lib-Dems….of interest was the report yesterday that within the hour of Mays announcement a 1000 had applied to join the Lib-Dems.”….

    Your surprise would likely be accompanied by the shock of millions of other Brits to that eventuality.

    Here we again with the bellicose behaviour and prognostications of a political event…noise, noise and fury says that old poet. What’s new!

    What you and others living in England need to remind yourselves with a daily pinch is the fact that a majority of people voted to leave the Union. The country is badly fractured.

    So will a Lib-Dems government presage some actual change to Brext! Unlikely.

    How does that referendum get overturned and the process halted ! It does not!

    And surely none of the other big issues like the NHS improves just so either. ( And neither will any English teams make it to the UEFA finals…a side joke of course…but the serious issue is the impact the denial of free movement of employment contracts in Premier League will have on your landscape)

    How do the Lib-Dems actually round out that very square hole of immigration…how would they govern what is truly a real freaking intractable almost ungovernable dilemma??

    I see no upside for Britain on this issue.

    The elections will become another cantankerous affair over immigration and EU membership and like last time there really will be no peace of mind when it’s over!

  24. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    David,
    You always seek to explain the obvious. I am aware Miller lives in the UK. I am not surprised s/he hides his name.
    My point….plse note…is that Corbyn is popular among party members, even if not in the country. That is all. Is that too simple for Miller and his supporters to understand?
    I am not a member of the Labour Party and do not support any UK political party. I am aware that 7bn people in the world have access to technology.
    I too use the technology to listen to Brasstacks.

  25. Tudor Avatar
    Tudor

    I heard the leader of the Opposition here in B’dos calling for the PM to follow May and call elections – there is no chance of that the PM is going to remain as PM and call elections when they are constitutionally due. He is very happy & taken with being PM, after all with a light work load healthy perks etc. why would he ?

  26. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @David, there was a time when Britain ruled across many time zones of the then ‘vast world’. Information was managed by a few and they would pontificate with the authority that they could not be challenged because the many were not privy to what they knew.

    Today, as you noted everyone and their ‘man from Uncle’ or just the aunt they left back in San Fernando – who just happens to have a super fast Ipad – have that information and can now pontificate with a very similar level of knowledge and authority.

    Apparently it was good for the power brokers of a bygone era but now that thanks to tech everyone has that facility in this ‘village-size’ world rather than vast mysterious, information deficit world, it is a bane of life.

    How absolutely counter-intuitive!

    The debates about where people live, when we travel so much and digest so much data are just mindbogglingly ridiculous.

    No longer does the sailor say ‘ I would be immortal if death came by letter across the seas’…

    Now some bloggers assail us more salty, of course : ‘Death to you oh denizen who dares offer stupid letters from across that sea of bandwidth, how dareth you oh cuckold!’

    Or something so. LOL.

  27. Well Well & Consequences Observing Blogger Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences Observing Blogger

    The earth is now a very tiny village.

  28. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    dpD

    The present election will mainly be about hard or soft Brexit and that is where the Lib-Dems will argue on allowing the free EU borders in order to get the majority of concessions as opposed to May who has backed herself into a corner with closed borders and Brussels be damned attitude.

    Brexit cannot be reversed but the remainers may get their cake and eat it as well….

  29. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Vincent,

    Brexit can be reversed. That is a decision for Parliament. I thought that was the basis of the Supreme Court decision. And I am not sure where you got the soft Brexit/Hard Brexit argument from. Labour is campaigning on the national health service, education and poverty. Not Brexit.

  30. Well Well & Consequences Observing Blogger Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences Observing Blogger

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/tory-election-fraud-expenses-snap-general-election-early-theresa-may-pmqs-denis-skinner-a7690881.html

    just more of the same…..corruption abounds, where do we think small island governments learned it.

    Dennis Skinner attacks Theresa May for ‘squalid’ backing of Tory MPs under criminal investigation for election fraud
    POPULAR VIDEOS

    Tim Farron refuses to rule out coalition with the Conservatives

    Get ready for The Keepers to become your new Netflix doc obsession
    The Prime Minister has backed Conservative MPs who are under criminal investigation for allegedly breaking election expenses rules in 2015 and said they can stand again as Tory candidates in the coming election.

    The Crown Prosecution Service last night confirmed it was considering the prosecution of over 30 people for breaking the strict election spending limits, which are put in place to prevent those with wealthy backers from gaining an unfair advantage during general elections.

    A total of 14 police forces have sent files to the Crown Prosecution Service relating to the Tory 2015 ‘battle bus’ scheme, which it has been alleged led to Tory candidates breaking strict spending limits on elections.”

    Labour MP Dennis Skinner asked Ms May at PMQs on Wednesday whether those under criminal investigation would be able to stand again.

    “Will the Prime Minister give a guarantee that no Tory MP who is under investigation by the police and the legal authorities over election expenses in the last general election be a candidate in this election?” he asked

    “Because if she won’t accept that this is the most squalid election campaign that has happened in my lifetime.”

    Ms May replied: “I stand by all the Conservative MPs who are in this House and who will be out there standing again campaigning, campaigning for a Conservative government that will give a brighter and better future for this country.”

  31. Well Well & Consequences Observing Blogger Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences Observing Blogger

    http://bit.ly/2pBYE0f

    An expert analysis.

    “WorldViews Analysis
    Britain’s snap elections won’t reverse Brexit. Here’s why.
    By Michael Birnbaum April 18 at 12:19 PM
    What Britain’s snap elections mean for Theresa May and Brexit Play Video1:09

    In a surprise announcement, Britain’s prime minister called for an early election on June 8. (The Washington Post)
    BRUSSELS — British Prime Minister Theresa May’s surprise decision Tuesday to hold snap elections in June is unlikely to derail her efforts to lead her nation out of the European Union — but it could ease pressure on her during torturous Brexit negotiations over the next two years.

    Wait, I thought Britain just voted in June to leave the European Union. Why does it need to vote again? Is it calling off Brexit?

    The new elections might be a component of the Keep-Pundits-Employed Act of 2017, but Britain is still almost certainly headed out of the European Union. May has seized on this moment to reset her clock as Brexit negotiations get underway, but the dynamics just aren’t there to redo last year’s referendum. There’s no single leader who could rally anti-Brexit voices in a credible threat to May. How bad is it? Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s reaction to the snap elections avoided any mention of Brexit, Britain’s central political issue this generation, in a sign of his fears that trying to reverse the 2016 decision could alienate a big part of his base.

    [E.U. to Britain: We’re in control of Brexit talks, not you]

    Why did May do this?

    She’s operating from a position of strength, barring an unforeseen surge from the pro-E. U. Liberal Democrats. This way, she can win a mandate, crush a Labour Party that is sinking under Corbyn and deal with any Brexit dissenters inside her party. The bottom line is that she clears the way for her own Brexit approach, which appears to favor a fairly hard break with the European Union, with some transition time along the way to ease the pain. Britain still hasn’t had a tough discussion about the costs of Brexit — but Tuesday’s move is unlikely to advance that conversation.

    It’s still a gamble — voters in Western democracies have delivered one surprise after another in the past year. But it’s hard to imagine a radical shift on Brexit after the snap elections.”

  32. David Avatar
    David

    Where was it stated that Miller lives in the UK?

    Comprehension my dear man.

  33. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Miller has implied that in his various postings over the months. The same way that Chad implied he was in the UK, Canada and the US. I do read the postings, especially of the anonymous contributors. Of course, we cannot always be right. Some people fabricate identities.

  34. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    Barbados will NOT follow the British example. We will suffer another year. HORRIBLE.

  35. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    PLP Parliamentary Labour Party (MP’s) are Bitches who are untrue to Labour Party Roots and Branches, it’s like sucking Murdoch’s shrivel dick for money like Jerry hall

  36. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    Hal

    I concur with David re comprehension.

    Brussels stated unequivocably that once article 50 was triggered….thats it no reversal.

    I did not mention Labour in the post you are quoting from.

  37. David Avatar
    David

    @Hal

    You are really a stubborn man. Point to any comment where has indicated that he lives (not visited) the UK. Anyway, as always you can have the last word.

  38. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Thanks, David, I am stubborn, especially when it comes to dumbing down. That is why I am not a teacher; I do not tolerate fools.
    I do not store the bloody comments in a file. I remember them as it is a way of identifying people. If people were open and frank about who they are we will not have to play little games.
    As I said, sometimes you get it wrong. I pointed to Chad as an example as he had implied he was at a UK university. I asked which one and he declined to reply.

  39. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Here is Miller……..You might be able to peddle your bullshit to those in Barbados and other palaces but you can’t risk that with those on the ground……..

    And it is not the first time he has dropped such hints.

  40. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    Could we focus on the real issue, namely Barbados going down the drain? Please.

  41. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    Tron April 19, 2017 at 10:58 AM #

    Did you not advise us to enjoy the sand,sea and rum on this benighted island.

    So pray tell us…….how we on BU,the local&foreign economic gurus,the int’l agencies and the PMs 2 committees with the MoF 1 committee can get the cabinet to stop the island going down the drain?????

  42. David Avatar
    David

    “Tron

    Some of us can walk and chew gum at the same time. Dealing with this issue is important for many reason, at the top of the list is this:

    BU is an anonymous blog, commenters and contributors are free to post under a name we assume is real or use a moniker. This is a BU rule and those who enter the forum to participate must accept the rule OR not participate. Franky it is becoming tiring to read the Carl Moores, William Skinners, Hal et al railing against what is a BU rule. If you don’t like the rule don’t participate.

    Christ!

  43. David Avatar
    David

    Brexit Effects after All? : The Case of Jamaica

    The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union immediately led to anxiety in the Caribbean. Initially, critics pointed out that the Brexit vote might lead to a slowdown of the world economy, fallout of remittances and tourism, and the loss of a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the Caribbean, potentially bringing renewed […].

  44. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    David

    Brexit was viewed as a god send for the commonwealth as the UK used a number of EUs laws to renege on agreements with its fellow members back then.e.g. bannanas in the windwards and reduction in our sugar quota.

    May has already put out requests to Australia,N.Zeeland,India from memory,its left for the Commonwealth to speak as one and sort out some proper trade agreements.

  45. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    We will have to see what kind of mandate May gets IF she does -hard or soft brexit.

  46. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    David

    May has boxed herself in the corner with hard Brexit of closed borders…..I agree that if she wins she can try to refashion it…..but as it is the Lib-Dems will be hammering a soft Brexit of open borders to the electorate with all of its benefits……we shall see.

  47. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    In these 21 locations a tactical swing from Labour to the Lib Dems, or the Lib Dems to Labour, could upset a Tory majority.
    These 21 seats might prove important in the 2017 General Election
    On June 8, Britain returns to the polls for another General Election. Already political commentators, pollsters and strategists are hypothesising about who
    inews.co.uk
    http://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/21-seats-might-prove-important-2017-general-election/

  48. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    May’s gamblings will fail

  49. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    Businesswoman Gina Miller has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £10,000 to support a tactical voting drive to stop “Extreme Brexit”
    Gina Miller launches crowdfunding campaign to ‘stop extreme Brexit’
    Businesswoman Gina Miller has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £10,000 to support a tactical voting drive to stop “Extreme Brexit”. Ms Miller, who
    inews.co.uk
    https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/uk/gina-miller-launches-crowdfunding-campaign-raise-10000-stop-extreme-brexit/

  50. David Avatar
    David

    FOX News fires Bill. The struggle by the people continues against the establishment.

    People power!

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