Will Theresa May Rue Calling An Early UK Election?

I was shocked to learn that British PM Theresa May had called a snap election for June 8th.


Naturally, I can understand why she did it. The Tories are comfortably ahead of Labour in the polls. Besides who the hell is crazy enough to send Jeremy Corbyn to Number 10?


But for months May has stated there would be no early election. In my experience, people resent early elections especially if they are repeatedly assured there will be no election. Just ask the Ontario Liberal Party in 1990 or, more recently, the Alberta Tories in 2015. Keep in mind that Britons went to the polls only two years ago albeit when David Cameron was still PM.


It must also be considered that May has called an election in an era of considerable electoral volatility. The Brexit vote took place less than a year ago, the election of Donald Trump took place less than six months ago. In a matter of days, it is entirely conceivable that French voters could choose between the National Front''s Marine Le Pen and Communist Jean-Luc Melanchon to be their next President. Should that come to pass perhaps May is counting on British voters to choose stability. But in this day and age I wouldn't bet on it.


Of course with the SNP dominating Scotland, it would be impossible for Labour to form a majority government. But Labour, SNP and Lib Dems could certainly cobble together a coalition government. In which case, we could see England and Wales leave the EU with Scotland choosing to remain.


Now I think 99 times out of 100, May will get her mandate, this gamble will pay off and she will be ensconced at Number 10 until at least 2022. Nevertheless, I also think May has pissed off a lot of voters who are wondering what the rush is all about. If that is the case, they will take out their resentment on her forcing her to change addresses and forcing the Tories to have yet another bitter, backstabbing leadership contest while Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon run ramshod over everything.


We may live in interesting times, but there are times when we need boredom. Theresa May is counting on boredom. The next seven weeks might turn out to be the most exciting of her life and for all the wrong reasons.