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Wha’ Happen?

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Long Parkcasting

We're all over the globe physically and all over the map topically this week as we cover the British elections with our guests Toby Young from The Spectator (read his take on the election here) and we've got the great Andrew McCarthy on Comey, the NSA, and Trump's legal conundrums. Also, Rob is in a park in London. Yes, in a park. Now, that's devotion.

Music from this week’s podcast: Werewolves Of London by Warren Zevon

The all new opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced by James Lileks.

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Hosts:
James LileksJon GabrielRob Long
Guests:
AMAndy McCarthyTYToby Young

Discussion (21)

  • Aaron Miller@AaronMiller
    Can someone explain the apparent normalcy of "snap elections" in Britain or Europe generally? Is there any good reason to reschedule an election (thereby cutting short lawful terms) except when a representative or leading candidate dies? I could perhaps understand if some dire and sudden circumstance merited voters' direct input. But just because the leading party thinks the moment is favorable for picking up a few more seats?
  • OccupantCDN@OccupantCDN

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):

    Can someone explain the apparent normalcy of “snap elections” in Britain or Europe generally? Is there any good reason to reschedule an election (thereby cutting short lawful terms) except when a representative or leading candidate dies? I could perhaps understand if some dire and sudden circumstance merited voters’ direct input. But just because the leading party thinks the moment is favorable for picking up a few more seats?

    In Canada, there is a tradition that when someone becomes Prime Minister without being elected (as she took over after Cameroon resigned last year) that they seek a mandate under their own leadership, rather than to serve out the term of the existing government. This has happened several times in recent Canadian history, for example 1984 - John Turner, took over from Trudeau. 1993 Kim Campbell took over from Mulroney - both examples the incumbent party failed re-election.

    So while the polling data may have influenced her timing the election, I think she felt the same need to get her own mandate.

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