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MPs to debate call for election SNP demands 'reforming election'
(about 1 hour later)
MPs are to debate a call for the immediate dissolution of Parliament and a subsequent general election in response to the expenses scandal. SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson has called for an "historic, reforming election" to rebuild trust in politics in the wake of the expenses scandals.
The SNP and Plaid Cymru have tabled a motion calling for dissolution, saying the government has lost authority and an election is needed to regain trust. Plaid Cymru and the SNP have tabled a motion to dissolve Parliament, saying ministers had lost authority.
The Conservatives and Lib Dems, who both want an immediate election, have signalled they will vote in favour. The Conservatives and Lib Dems, who want an immediate election, signalled they would vote in favour.
But the motion is set to be defeated by Labour MPs in an early evening vote. But Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said an early poll would "trigger instability" in the UK economy.
It is expected that the motion will be defeated by Labour MPs.
'Political crisis''Political crisis'
The debate was scheduled before the recent conflict within Labour over Gordon Brown's leadership. The debate was scheduled before last week's conflict within Labour over Gordon Brown's leadership.
But the SNP said the events of recent days showed Mr Brown had "lost his grip" and reinforced the need for a general election straight away.But the SNP said the events of recent days showed Mr Brown had "lost his grip" and reinforced the need for a general election straight away.
"We need a general election so that we can restore trust and confidence in Parliament and politicians," said the party's leader at Westminster, Angus Robertson. Mr Robertson told the Commons that arguments against dissolution were motivated by "pure naked self preservation" on the part of the Labour Party, which performed badly in the local and European elections.
Opposition parties say the public should be given their say nowOpposition parties say the public should be given their say now
Parliament was in disrepute due to the actions of certain MPs, he said, and the public should have the opportunity to pass judgement on them.Parliament was in disrepute due to the actions of certain MPs, he said, and the public should have the opportunity to pass judgement on them.
"This political crisis was created by politicians," he said. He added that an election would allow all parties to put their proposals for cleaning up Parliament to the electorate and "the reform process will then have a mandate."
"There can be no argument against the entire House of Commons submitting itself to a vote of the people who elected them." Mr Robertson added that the argument against having an election in tough economic times was simply "not credible".
Labour has dismissed calls for an immediate election, saying reforming Parliament must be a priority and any changes agreed will be put to the electorate soon anyway as an election must be held within the next year. "We need an election to rebuild confidence in UK economic policy," he said.
But Labour MPs dismissed calls for an immediate election, saying reforming Parliament must be a priority and any changes agreed will be put to the electorate soon anyway as an election must be held within the next year.
Mr Hain said the SNP and Plaid were "the Tories' little helpers" in light of Conservative leader David Cameron's calls for an immediate poll.
He added that all politicians had been sent a message at the European elections to "clean up, shape up, and come back to us when the problem is fixed".
Labour MPs who wanted to replace Gordon Brown were warned by loyalists that such a move would lead to an immediate election, at a time when Labour has just suffered its worst national poll result in 90 years.Labour MPs who wanted to replace Gordon Brown were warned by loyalists that such a move would lead to an immediate election, at a time when Labour has just suffered its worst national poll result in 90 years.