Posted on 06/04/2017 2:42:23 AM PDT by naturalman1975
PRIME Minister Theresa May is facing pressure to postpone the UK election in the wake of the London terror attack.
May will chair a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee later on Sunday in response to the tragedy.
Three terrorists have been shot dead after killing seven people and more than 48 were injured when three suspects ploughed a vehicle into pedestrians on London Bridge before attacking others in nearby tourist hotspot Borough Market. May also suspended election campaigning on Sunday.
“The Conservative Party will not be campaigning nationally today. We will review as the day goes on and as more details of the attack emerge,” the prime minister’s spokesman said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
But I'm posting this because I thought some Freepers might be interested in the British constitutional position on this, as it's likely to come up in the media over the next few days until something is decided. I don't think there are any actually qualified British constitutional lawyers around here - but I've made a pretty decent study of it (to Masters degree level) and often find myself explaining things here.
The situation is somewhat murky and there are people who are already saying they don't believe the election can be postponed. I'm fairly sure they are wrong. My understanding is that this would represent one of those very rare cases where the Queen's remaining reserve powers as Monarch come into play - contrary to the belief of many, the Queen is not just a figurehead - she still has real power. She's just bound by convention not to exercise that power except in very specific circumstances, such as to avert a constitutional crisis. She does, in my view, have the power to delay the election if Prime Minister May requests her to. And it will be her decision as to whether to grant that request.
I suspect in the current circumstances she would grant such a request of her Prime Minister, especially if it was supported by the Leader of the Opposition as she would only be expected to oppose it if it was very clearly an improper request.
The closest precedent I can think of for the situation is that Britain did not have a general election during the First World War, or during most of the Second World War, even though elections were 'due' in both cases. The Kings at the time accepted the recommendation of the Prime Minister and Cabinet that the seriousness of the situation facing the United Kingdom was so grave that resources could not be wasted on electioneering, and potential instability. In both cases, it was agreed that an election would be held as soon as the crisis eased, and in both cases that happened - the 1918 election was held just over a month after the Armistice, the 1945 election was held after the war in Europe had ended, although the Pacific War was still ongoing. I would not say the situation at present is as grave as either of those, but the precedent does exist and is reasonably recent.
The situations aren't precisely the same as in neither of the World War scenarios was an election that had actually been called and for which writs had been issued postponed. But the precedent for the Royal prerogative coming into play is there.
The terrorists did all the campaigning anyone needs to see. How much more innocent blood before the majority has seen enough?
I think your first sentence covers it.
If they delay the election, it will signal the terrorists that they can affect British elections (and other things) any ole time they want.
The best thing to do right now, it get touch!
Show strength and determination.
Make a show of force, a very strong one.
May could really “come of age” on this. Go for it!
As for the Mayor of London, man what were they thinking?
May is done.
She refused to heed the advice from Donald Trump to secure her nation.
May was likely convinced by the Mayor of London, muslim Sadiq Khan, to stand down the military security from South London that May had put in place after the Westminster Bridge terror incident, and after the concert suicide bombing in the Midlands.
May is now a dimmi. Doubtful she will ever be able to win a re-election. May has failed repeatedly to secure her country, opting to follow the lefts open door immigration policies, and non military security options.
You saw the result last night.
May has failed. She can postpone the election all she wants, she will never win now. The terror attacks will continue until Myas replacement rounds up every radical Muslim in Britain, and closes every madrassa for good.
They were thinking he was the Labour candidate and it was time for a Labour Mayor.
A huge number of people vote for party, especially in local elections. Quite a few probably had no idea Labour had put up a Muslim, or that the Conservatives had put up a Jew.
Thank you. That is very interesting analysis.
Thank you for posting. I did not read the name of the poster until just after beginning the second paragraph of your own commentary, and I was not disappointed. Your commentary is more valuable than the article. Thanks from Canada.
Now, another attack.
The only problem is the opposition is worse. All the UK has is the Labour Communist and the angry midget from Scotland.
It's not a tragedy. It's an act of war. Only egg sucking dog politicians call it a tragedy.
So, the UK wants to get rid of the Conservative person by voting for the liberal who will bend over backwards to Islam?
Why even BOTHER with an election?
They are letting them in SO FAST—there will be no country at all VERY, VERY SOON.
The government might as well be an enemy.
Can anyone point me to a case of a fleeing policeman in the US?
The General Election is going ahead on Thursday. Theresa May will remain prime minister after it.
Corbyn, McDonnell, Abbot and Thornberry are unthinkable.
May is not yet “done”. It is now a choice between the party which has been squishy on Islam, versus the party which is actively pro-Islam.
May’s only honorable choice would be to admit that she’s been wrong, announce that she will stop being squishy on Islam, and go full speed ahead on BRexit.
If she was REALLY honorable, she would announce she was bringing Nigel Farange in as the new head of the Conservatives, and step down in his favor.
where is the remaining british population uproar? when is enough is enough? There remedy is candle lite vigils flowers and teddy bears. If you wont fight for your future who will? this is war
LA riots.
Right. Koreans on the roof defending themselves. I remember.
In 2001, Parliament had already been dissolved ahead of a GE planned for May 3, when the Foot and Mouth disease crisis forced the Goverment to limit movement of people from certain areas to stop the spread of the disease. Tony Blair subsequently moved the election date to June 7.
The problem is that the alternative of vastly, inconceivably worse. Do you really want an open borders communist running the U.K?
Whatever May’s faults, she will deliver brexit and retain capitalism. Corbyn can’t be trusted to do either - or to crack down on the terrorists, which May is now promising to do - https://www.infowars.com/terrorists-attack-london-bridge-alex-jones-reports/
I don’t get to vote in the U.K. but cannot but hope that they have sense enough to vote her back in be cause the alternative would be a disaster.
Sorry, wrong link -
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4570104/Theresa-s-huge-gratitude-emergency-services.html
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