GENERAL ELECTION 2010
This morning the Prime Minister requested the dissolution of Parliament and the General Election will take place on Thursday 6th May.
Outside Number 10 and flanked by his entire Cabinet Gordon Brown announced the "least well-kept secret of recent years” and confirmed the election date. In his short speech he declared he would fight on the values instilled in him by his parents and said he was seeking a "clear and straightforward mandate" from the country to carry on the work of economic recovery.
David Cameron launched his campaign on the South Bank of the Thames overlooking the Houses of Parliament just moments before Gordon Brown officially announced the election date. Speaking to supporters David Cameron said that the Conservatives are "fighting this election for the great ignored".
Nick Clegg stood alongside Vince Cable to declare that only his party offers "real change”. He had earlier insisted that it is not a “two-horse race” between Labour and the Conservatives, and added that “all bets are off”.
The Tetra Strategy team will be sending regular updates from the campaign trail, as well as ‘tweeting’ throughout the campaign. Please follow us on Twitter @tetrastrategy (http://twitter.com/TetraStrategy) for updates, analysis and opinions from the team.
Please find below a guide to the key dates and events for the General Election campaign and the new Parliament.
APRIL
· Tuesday 6th April
Following a 20-minute meeting with the Queen at Buckingham Palace to seek the dissolution of Parliament, the Prime Minister announced the General Election will take place on Thursday 6th May. There will be an emergency business statement in the House of Commons this afternoon at 3.30pm, following which the ‘wash-up process will begin.
The Cabinet Office issues guidance to Departments on their activities during the election period.
· Wednesday 7th - Thursday 8th April
The ‘wash-up’ process takes place, in which the Government must reach agreement with the opposition parties to pass legislation in the time available. This is achieved through negotiation between whips of each of the parties. Please see below for a list of the outstanding Bills which are subject to the wash-up process. It is possible the sitting might be extended to the Friday, although as of today both Commons and Lords indicate they will not sit on that day. Parliament must be dissolved by Monday in order for a May 6 election.
Prime Minister’s Questions will take place on Wednesday 7th April.
· Monday 12th April
Parliament is officially dissolved and a period of 'purdah' begins, during which the government continues to function but cannot make major policy announcements.
The Conservative Party launches its manifesto (http://www.conservatives.com/Draft_Manifesto.aspx)
· Tuesday 13th April
The Labour Party launches its manifesto (http://www.labour.org.uk/policies/labours-pledges)
· Wednesday 14th April
The Liberal Democrat Party launches its manifesto (http://www.libdems.org.uk/what_we_stand_for.aspx)
· Thursday 15th April
ITV Election Debate (http://www.itv.com/electiondebate/)
· Monday 19th April
The first of the Daily Politics ‘Cabinet Contenders’ debates – please see below for the proposed timetable of debates.
· Tuesday 20th April
Last day for delivery of nomination papers /withdrawal of candidature/appointment of election agents (4pm).
Candidate list is finalised and published (5pm) (http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/)
· Thursday 22nd April
Sky News Election Debate (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Leaders-Debates-TV-Format)
· Thursday 29th April
BBC Election Debate (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8589502.stm)
MAY
· Thursday 6th May
POLLING DAY
- General Election
- Local Elections
· Tuesday 18th May
New Parliament will be summoned to meet
Election of Speaker
MPs begin swearing-in process
· Wednesday 26th May
Queen’s Speech
· Thursday 27th May
Whitsun adjournment begins
JUNE
· Election of Select Committee Chairs (date to be confirmed)
· Conservative emergency budget (pending election outcome – date to be confirmed)
JULY
· Select Committee membership announced
· Summer recess begins
OUTSTANDING BILLS BEFORE PARLIAMENT:
|
Bill |
Completed |
Date of next stage |
Controversial Aspects |
|
Bribery Bill |
All Lords; Commons 2R and Committee |
|
Conservatives and CBI want higher standard of proof for convictions |
|
Children, Schools and Families Bill |
All Commons; Lords 2R |
|
Inspection for home-schooled children |
|
License to practice for teachers |
|||
|
Compulsory sex education at primary school level |
|||
|
Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill |
All Commons; Lords 2R |
|
Referendum on AV |
|
Removal of by-elections to replace hereditary peers who have died |
|||
|
Resignation of peers and re-election to the Commons |
|||
|
Crime and Security Bill |
All Commons; Lords 2R |
|
DNA database: provisions to allowed acquitted suspects DNA to be held for six years |
|
Digital Economy Bill |
All Lords |
2R: 6/4/2010 |
Allows for disconnection from the internet of those pirating copyrighted material |
|
Energy Bill |
All Commons; Lords 2R |
|
- |
|
Financial Services Bill |
All Commons; Lords 2R |
|
Role of the FSA (Conservatives want to abolish Authority) |
|
Finance Bill |
Not yet introduced |
|
Special procedure in wash-up for Finance Bills means it will pass |
|
Flood and Water Management Bill |
All Commons; Lords 2R |
Comm: 6/4/2010 |
Broad Opposition support for Bill |
Key:
2R – Second Reading
Comm – Committee Stage
http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/passage_bill/index.htm
DAILY POLITICS CABINET CONTENDERS DEBATES (pending final confirmation):
Monday 19 April - Defence & Security
Tuesday 20 April - The Economy
Wednesday 21 April - Immigration
Monday 26 April - The Environment
Tuesday 27 April - Business
Wednesday 28 April - Health
Monday 3 May - Education
Tuesday 4 May - Crime
Wednesday 5 May - Trust in politics
Further details are available here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/the_daily_politics/8579930.stm
News RSS
Score Communications