I thought that Annette King's comment this morning was a tad incredulous. Something along the lines of "One of our members has resigned to take another job opportunity - so the government should call an early election."
:ohmy:
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I thought that Annette King's comment this morning was a tad incredulous. Something along the lines of "One of our members has resigned to take another job opportunity - so the government should call an early election."
:ohmy:
Why would they care? It's not a general election. There is no point in standing in a by-election in that electorate for any party but Labour. Otherwise it's va waste of money for all parties, and with only a short period to the general election. If the monocle was on the other eye, Labour would do the same.
I thought a by election was necessary if the seat becomes vacant more than 6 months prior to the general election?
Is there any other option than hold the by election?
Labour are not allowed to just have a caretaker MP in the seat.
If Labour stood the only candidate (ie no one constested the seat) is an election still necessary or do they win by default without the need for a ballot?
That's an interesting question. A by-election is required but surely logic would apply and if the parties all grew up and admit nobody but Labour will win the seat, they'd all gain some respect. Tell the chief returning officer that all but Labour are conceding - and surely that would be that! They'd save their own parties funds and the taxpayers' as well.
Appointing an unopposed candidate in an election is normal practice and, unless the rules are drafted to specifically exclude that, it should happen. Of course, there would always be some lunatic who would stick his or her name down as an independent to stuff it all up.