Jonathan Chatfield calls for Fixed Term Parliament

Published on Thu 8th Nov 2007

Following the recent speculation and then subsequent 'cancellation' of the autumn General Election, Jonathan Chatfield has joined other Liberal Democrats in calling for 4-year fixed term parliaments in the UK. This would prevent the endless speculation and uncertainty over the date of the election and would place the whole process on a sound and stable footing. Such a decision to elect a national government should not rest solely with the UK Prime Minister who can then manipulate events and stage manage announcements, whilst analysing the latest results from opinion polls and focus groups. It does not make for good government and turns the electoral process into one dominated by sectional party interest. Other European countries have a fixed term parliament and now is the time for us to modernise our democracy in this way as well.