Quotes
There is not one single sensible argument against fixed term parliaments, unless you are a sitting PM wanting to sneak an election. I hope our new politics extends to making this very sensible reform, and many others that are long overdue. Ed Vaizey MP, Con, (on his blog, 6 October 2007)
It's quite wrong that the Prime Minister of the day should be able to fiddle the dates of the election for short term political advantage. David Howarth MP, LibDem (quoted on the LibDem website)
Former Prime Minister Blair promised the electorate in 2005 that if he was re-elected he would serve for a full term. The current Prime Minister has not called a general election, despite that promise. Would it not be appropriate to note that, with a fixed-term Parliament, that sort of political deception could not occur? Peter Bone MP (Hansard, 23 July 2007)
Having fixed-terms for Parliament would be a good thing.. It has long been accepted that local elections should be held at regular and fixed intervals and the same practice has been adopted by the Welsh Assembly, which is going to hold elections every four years. . . 'The whole election date speculation industry is a wasteful diversion from the real business of politics which is to bring about change for the better on behalf of the electorate' Kevin Brennan (Lab) (quoted on his website 15 May 2002)
I want to see fixed-term Parliaments, with provision for early elections if (a) the government loses a vote of confidence, (b) there's a change of Prime Minister or (c) there is cross-party support (to cover unusual crises or surprises). Cross-party support is crucial for (c) as otherwise it would just once again let the PM pick whatever date they want - and then get it through with a whipped vote. Quite how this would work depends on what happens to House of Lords reform (finally!), but the basic idea is clear. Lynne Featherstone MP (on her blog, 23 Sept 2007)
We shouldn't have elections at the convenience of the PM, whose purpose is to advance the cause of a political party. It should be in the public interest. Sir Menzies Campbell MP, LibDem, speaking on BBC Question Time, 4 October 2007