Harman: Let MPs decide election timing
Harriet Harman, deputy leader of the Labour party, has argued parliament should be given the final say on when to call an election.
In the wake of Gordon Brown’s controversial decision not to go to the polls, there have been calls for the decision to be taken out the prime minister’s hands.
Ms Harman argued future prime minister’s should be forced to seek majority approval from MPs, after they had decided to call an election.
Ms Harman said: “I do think this debate we have had over the last couple of weeks has thrown a spotlight on something that needs to change.
“I think people feel unhappy and I think it is not right, the idea that a prime minister can simply choose and swish up to Buckingham Palace and get the Queen to decide on a general election.
“I think it is right that we should look at whether parliament should decide whether or not an election is called, and the vote has to be in parliament whether or not parliament should be dissolved.
“I think we should change the way we do that.”
Over the weekend, Mr Brown confirmed he has ruled out an election this autumn, saying he needed more time to show voters his “vision” for the country.
The decision has proved contentious, with many in the Conservative party saying he acted out of weakness when the polls in key marginal seats appeared to be turning against him.
During prime minister’s question time earlier this week, Conservative leader David Cameron accused Mr Brown of “dithering” and challenged the PM to call a vote.
Calls for an end to the Royal Prerogative – which allows the prime minister to call an election at his will – have also been echoed by the Liberal Democrats.
Speaking on the BBC’s Question Time programme the Lib Dem president, Simon Hughes, argued: “Power should reside with the people, not with one person.”
Ms Harman also suggested fixed term parliaments were an option she was willing to consider.
The deputy leader continued: “I can see the attraction of fixed term parliaments but I think when, in the example of the 2001 election we fixed the date for the election and we had to change it because of foot and mouth, I think you have to have some flexibility.
“I think, probably, the best solution is parliament decides when it is going to be dissolved and there is a vote in parliament.”
