Blair to "resign"

[Vesayen]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070510/ap_on_re_eu/britain_blair;_ylt=ArXz0XZt9twhE.DjkG0psh.s0NUE

Question.

What do they mean when they say he is going to resign? He is not going to seek another term, or is he actually ending his term, early? Does the brittish legislature have a system some countries have, where a prime minister only stays in power so long as a certain portion of the legislature supports them, and they can call a vote at any time for a new election, or does brittain have fixed elections for prime minister?

[Sava]

That's more than one question.

[reds4ever]

Elections can be called anytime before a certain date (4 years after the last one).

He is ending his term early to allow the new PM (ie new leader of the Labour Party) time to prepare for an election which is common practice.

A PM can be 'forced' to call on election if he loses key votes and the House tables (and passes) a vote of no confidence.

[Cort Haus]

Normally there would be a leadership election in the party to determine the next PM. It seems that this time there will instead be a regal-like succession, with Gordon "waiting for 13 years" Brown being crowned as new party leader and PM.

[reds4ever]

The left wing will dig up a candidate from somewhere. He won't win but they'll be a leadership challenge (of sorts).

[C0ckney]

the two lefty candidates are presently busy sniping at each other and both will struggle to get the backing of the 45 labour MPs needed to mount a leadership bid.

someone like charles clarke would probably manage it, but he knows he hasn't got a prayer and is unlikely to offer himself up as a sacrificial lamb.

[Main_Brain]

Free Scotland!

[C0ckney]

free us from scotland.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Main_Brain
Free Scotland!

Of you go then spongers....

[Sandman]

It's good that Blair's going. Too bad there's still seven weeks to go.

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Main_Brain
Free Scotland!

What do Scotland need to be 'freed' from?

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Sandman
It's good that Blair's going.

I'm no fan of his, but what is there to look forward to? Brown is Blair without the personality and leadership.

[BeBMan]

Originally posted by Cort Haus


What do Scotland need to be 'freed' from?

From British aggressors obviously.

[KrazyHorse]

Re: Blair to "resign"

Originally posted by Vesayen

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070510/ap_on_re_eu/britain_blair;_ylt=ArXz0XZt9twhE.DjkG0psh.s0NUE

Question.

What do they mean when they say he is going to resign? He is not going to seek another term, or is he actually ending his term, early? Does the brittish legislature have a system some countries have, where a prime minister only stays in power so long as a certain portion of the legislature supports them, and they can call a vote at any time for a new election, or does brittain have fixed elections for prime minister?

To answer your questions as simply as possible:

1) He is going to resign as head of the Labour Party. Whoever is elected (by the Labour party) as the new head will automatically become PM with no intervening general election.

2) This is not the same as a vote of no confidence. Under such a vote, a general election would immediately be called. The same goes for when the PM decides (technically, he petitions the queen to) dissolve Parliament.

3) There are no elections "for Prime Minister" among the general public. The PM is generally the leader of the party with the largest number of seats in Parliament. Technically the Queen could confirm somebody as PM who was not the leader of the largest party (or the leader of any party at all), but in practice it works out that becomin PM consists of the following:

a) Winning the leadership of a party
b) Leading that party to an electoral victory in general parliamentary elections

Parliament need not be dissolved when leaders change, but in general, elections are called fairly soon after a change in leadership (usually within a year or so).

[MichaeltheGreat]

So, who's Dubya's next poodle?