Is it a March Election?

The collective wisdom seems to have settled on a May 6^th General Election, but a few things look like they might trigger an earlier election.

 

In the last few days Gordon Brown has offered to appear before the Chilcot inquiry. The letters have been published, and in response Chilcot says:

 

“The committee plans to conclude its hearings on Monday 8 February…That would mean, if you take up the offer, holding the hearings at the end of February or early March…..If, of course, in the meantime a General Election is called, we would need to postpone the hearing, as we have always made clear”.

 

Although Gordon Brown says he is relaxed about appearing before the inquiry, this may be bravado. Maybe he is worried that it would be a bad start to the Election Campaign. A General Election in March would be a get out clause.

 

Adding to the problems, Alistair Darling seems determined to start bringing the fiscal deficit down in the Budget. To avoid the bad headlines which would inevitably accompany the cuts and destroy one of Brown’s election tactics, or a possible resignation if Brown stops Darling getting his way this time, it makes sense to avoid having a budget.

 

We will also be likely to have briefly come out of recession before the we enter it again. To me it makes sense to go in March, will Brown jump though?

 

Squiffy.