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Nationalist bid to force election Nationalist bid to force election
(19 minutes later)
The SNP and Plaid Cymru have joined forces in an effort to try and force a general election. The SNP and Plaid Cymru have joined forces in an effort to try to force a general election.
The two parties are to table a motion next week calling for the dissolution of Parliament.The two parties are to table a motion next week calling for the dissolution of Parliament.
Gordon Brown has rejected Tory and Lib Dem calls for an election saying he wants to sort out the expenses system.Gordon Brown has rejected Tory and Lib Dem calls for an election saying he wants to sort out the expenses system.
The motion comes two days before the European and English local elections and in the wake of a damaging series of revelations about MP expenses claims.The motion comes two days before the European and English local elections and in the wake of a damaging series of revelations about MP expenses claims.
It will be the first time MPs will have a chance to formally express their support for an immediate election and could increase the pressure on Mr Brown to go to the country.It will be the first time MPs will have a chance to formally express their support for an immediate election and could increase the pressure on Mr Brown to go to the country.
The SNP said they would be tabling their opposition day motion on Wednesday afternoon, giving MPs an opportunity to debate it in the Commons.The SNP said they would be tabling their opposition day motion on Wednesday afternoon, giving MPs an opportunity to debate it in the Commons.
They are stressing that it is not a motion of "no confidence" in the government but that it could spark a general election, if enough MPs supported it.They are stressing that it is not a motion of "no confidence" in the government but that it could spark a general election, if enough MPs supported it.
The party said its dissatisfaction with the government was "more wide ranging" than the current expenses scandal, which has led to more than a dozen MPs saying they are to stand down.The party said its dissatisfaction with the government was "more wide ranging" than the current expenses scandal, which has led to more than a dozen MPs saying they are to stand down.
But the expenses issue had brought matters to a head.But the expenses issue had brought matters to a head.
"The pressure has grown so much now that we believe it is time to go to the polls," an SNP spokesman said."The pressure has grown so much now that we believe it is time to go to the polls," an SNP spokesman said.
Tory leader David Cameron has called for the prime minister to hold an election in late July or early September to give voters a chance to get rid of MPs caught up in the expenses scandal.Tory leader David Cameron has called for the prime minister to hold an election in late July or early September to give voters a chance to get rid of MPs caught up in the expenses scandal.
But Mr Brown is expected to hold on until next year. The latest date he can hold a poll is in June 2010.But Mr Brown is expected to hold on until next year. The latest date he can hold a poll is in June 2010.
Asked at the weekend if there would be an early poll, Mr Brown said: "I think what people want is to clean up the system first."Asked at the weekend if there would be an early poll, Mr Brown said: "I think what people want is to clean up the system first."
The last Labour government was brought down by an SNP "no confidence" motion in 1979, although the then Prime Minister James Callaghan did not have a working Parliamentary majority, unlike Gordon Brown.The last Labour government was brought down by an SNP "no confidence" motion in 1979, although the then Prime Minister James Callaghan did not have a working Parliamentary majority, unlike Gordon Brown.