Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

Can some one explain to me why Chancellor Gordon Brown got to be PM instead of Deputy PM John Prescott when Tony Blair stood down? what is the point of a deputy PM if he is not there to take over if the current PM resigns?

PeteBrant

The deputy PM typically stands down at the same time as the PM - There is no constituational requirement to have one - Some PMs choose to appoint a deputy PM, some don't. The Deputy PM doesn't *offically* have any powers of the PM in his abscene - Hence such matters are dealt with by a leadership election.

Martin2005

To answer the original question, 'are they in trouble' - well yes you'd better believe they are in trouble.

However I think that people need to remember a couple of things, firstly Local Elections have always been used to kick the government, and many a mid term government has suffered significant defeats and gone on to win general elections. Secondly, the electoral map of the UK does not favour the Tories, they need a huge swing to carry power, although very possible (if current polls are to be believed) I still think some sort of hung parliament is the most likely outcome.

I note the usual suspects on this thread commenting with their usual mixture of balance and well reasoned thought