Following Gordon Brown's retreat from holding an early General Election, Harlow Liberal Democrats are calling for Parliament to serve a fixed term of 4 years, as proposed in a bill laid before Parliament today (Monday 8 October) by Cambridge Lib Dem MP David Howarth, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Solicitor General.

David Wright, Harlow Liberal Democrats Chair, said

"Gordon Brown's indecisiveness over whether to call a General Election shows lack of political judgement. But these events also show why the Prime Minister should not be able to pick and choose when to hold the General Election.

Over the past few weeks the Prime Minister has spent more time trying to name the day for the next election than running the country. But why should the Prime Minister be able to pick the day to best suit his party? A fixed 4-year term would be fair to all parties, and mean that the government could concentrate on running the country for the benefit of all its citizens.

Councillors are elected for fixed terms. Harlow residents would be incensed if the ruling parties on Harlow Council could change their re-election dates to suit themselves. What is right for councils is right for Westminster too."

Further information:

Liberal Democrat Shadow Solicitor General, David Howarth, MP for Cambridge, today (Monday) tabled a Bill to the House of Commons to introduce fixed parliamentary terms of four years. See also this BBC story.