Interesting Links for 13-12-2011

[andrewducker]

• Could David Cameron call an early election? (No, he really couldn't)
  (tags: elections uk politics )
• National pride brings happiness, but what you're proud of matters
  (tags: pride happiness nationalism patriotism )
• Stress in early pregnancy can lead to shorter pregnancies and fewer baby boys
  (tags: stress pregnancy children )
• What would a Higgs

Comments

[danieldwilliam]

I’m not sure how well the electorate would take the necessary shenanigans in order for Cameron to call an early election.

It would amount to Cameron (and possibly others) saying “See that stability that was required in the national interest that I promised you and see that fixed-term-Parliament-constitutional-reform-that-would-change-the-we-do-politics that I also promised you. I lied. Please vote for me.”

I’m don’t see that landing well with the people.

[andrewducker]

Of course, that assumes that Cameron dissolving his government leads to an election, rather than a Lab+LibDem+Others coalition. Which would be shaky, but various parties might decide it was preferable to going back to the polls.

[danieldwilliam]

I was thinking of the shenanigans that would be required for him to be able to dissolve his government and move straight to a general election without giving Miliband and whomever replaced Clegg as leader of the Liberal Democrats a chance to form government.

[andrewducker]

That would require a repeal of existing legislation - which would require 50% of the government (and the Lords). He won't get that.

[danieldwilliam]

He’d have to wriggle like a fish on a hook. I bet somewhere there is someone whose job it is to work out how to do it.

He could nobble the Lords like Lloyd George did. In fact, he could appoint endangered Lib Dem MP’s to the Lords as well and reduce the number of sitting MP’s to the point where the 306 Tories were a majority.

Alternatively he could promote sufficient Labour and left leaning Liberal Democrats so that he could resign his Government and prevent Miliband winning a vote of confidence.

Transparent shenanigans.

The country wouldn’t stand for it. UKIP would win a landslide. Farage would form a Ministry of the All the Talents. D Miliband Deputy PM. Fred Goodwin at the Treasury, Fathers for Justice on a job share at the Home Office, Chuka Umunna as Secretary of State for Agriculture. Bill Cash as Foreign Secretary. Dr Fox back at the MOD. Farage, himself, bestriding the world like a Colossus.

I myself would serve in such a Ministry if called upon. Perhaps Chief Secretary to the Treasury or Minister of Truth.

[andrewducker]

Should you have any positions at MiniTru then I would be happy to serve.

[danieldwilliam]

There will always be a desk in the high-status materials of your choice available for you at MiniTru. Just say the word.

I have a plan. I can explain it to you using 1 sheet of A3, a packet of crayons and a couple of pints (or equivalent). You’re participation may prove to be essential.

[andrewducker]

Now that you mention it, I'd be very happy to meet up for a drink at some point in time :->

[danieldwilliam]

That would be jolly civilised.

Let's make like Nike & do it

*open a sweatshop in the Far East.