Letter: Set fixed terms between elections

Set fixed terms between elections

Sir: What a relief an election sooner than May, when this Parliament's time runs out, would be to all concerned, you say in your leader of 2 December. And so, doubtless, it would be.

Nevertheless, the prerogative of prime ministers to call an early election is open to question.

Not only are they quite powerful enough without it, but the right to manipulate the election date confers on the governing party an unfair electoral advantage and the ensuing uncertainty can be highly damaging economically.

If other countries get by quite happily with fixed-term (typically four- year) parliaments elected on predetermined dates, why can't we?

WALTER GREY

London N3