| So - all going according to plan! Daily Mail Wed 31st Mar/10 | |
|
Date:Wed, 31 Mar 2010
|
|
|---|
Politics List
"...allowed under ancient conventions..." - what does all that mean, then? Magna Carta?
"For the first time they will give opposition parties access to advice from officials ..."
"He will have the right to make the first attempt to soldier on as head of a minority government by coming to an arrangement with smaller parties, including the Liberal Democrats."
What a frightful shambles! Oh, how the mighty have fallen!
---------------------------------------
Will the Queen stop a second election?
Move would be aimed at averting economic crisis
Last updated at 12:43 AM on 31st March 2010
The Queen's involvement is allowed under ancient conventions
The Queen could step in and block a second General Election this year in the event of a hung Parliament, to prevent Britain spiralling into an economic crisis.
Her action would force parties to work towards a coalition government - rather than having to fight another election campaign. The Queen's potential involvement, which is allowed under ancient conventions, has emerged in extraordinary behind-the-scenes preparations in Whitehall.
There are serious fears that Britain faces its first hung Parliament since the 1970s. Economists say a prolonged period of turmoil after an unclear election result could result in a devastating collapse in confidence in Britain's ability to repay its vast national debt.
To prepare, the Civil Service has drawn up a blueprint for action. For the first time they will give opposition parties access to advice from officials in an attempt to speed up a coalition deal.
The period between polling day and the point at which a minority administration would face a potentially terminal vote of no confidence is to be extended by six days, giving more time for a power-sharing agreement.
And conventions allow the Sovereign to decline a request from a prime minister heading a minority government for a dissolution of Parliament and a quick second election.
If the Queen is advised that a general election would be 'detrimental to the national economy', she can refuse to allow one.
'The monarch is not bound to accept such a request, especially when such a request is made soon after a previous dissolution,' says guidance drawn up by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell.
Because of the bias against them in the electoral system, the Conservatives need a poll lead of around ten points to be sure of defeating Labour with an overall majority.
Polls pointing to a narrower result have prompted mandarins to produce the first set of guidelines for senior civil servants on what happens in the event of a hung Parliament.
Even if the Tories are the largest party, but fail to secure a Commons majority, Gordon Brown will remain Prime Minister until he resigns, Whitehall sources say.
Officials who have held detailed discussions with the Queen's private secretary, Christopher Geidt, say it will be up to Mr Brown to decide when to resign.
He will have the right to make the first attempt to soldier on as head of a minority government by coming to an arrangement with smaller parties, including the Liberal Democrats.
Ted Heath remained in office over the weekend after the general election on February 28, 1974, despite winning four seats fewer than Labour, as he made unsuccessful attempts to form a coalition with the Liberals.
Mr Brown would be barred from making major policy announcements until a stable administration could be formed.
If he fails to reach an agreement with smaller parties, David Cameron would then be allowed to make similar overtures to the Liberal Democrats and others to try to form a viable minority government.
At more than 12 per cent of national income, the UK's deficit is on a par with that of Greece, which has been plunged into a deep financial crisis and social unrest.
A similar loss of confidence in Britain, experts fear, would trigger a run on the pound, drive up interest rates and undermine the recovery.
In the worst-case scenario, our gold-standard AAA credit rating on the international markets would be downgraded, massively increasing the cost of financing our debt.
Posts
