The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has announced a general election for June 7th and asked the Queen to dissolve Parliament. The BBC's political correspondent Jon Devitt reports.

9th May 2001

The British Prime Minister
announces the General Election

Calling a general election in Britain is the prerogative of the Prime Minister. Although a government can stay in office for five years, so long as it maintains its parliamentary majority, most prime ministers choose to seek re-election well before that.

Mr Blair could have waited until May 2002, but the fear is that by delaying until the last few months, the government's well laid plans are more likely to be overtaken by events. Dictating the timing of the election is seen as taking charge of the agenda. Mr Blair has already been forced to alter his plans because of the livestock disease foot and mouth.

prerogative: something which is the right of a particular person or group to do

parliamentary majority: having more representatives elected than the other political parties

to seek re-election:to try and be elected for another period in government

well laid plans: ideas that have been carefully worked out

overtaken by events: unexpected developments which can upset careful planning

dictating the timing: deciding when something will happen

taking charge of the agenda: in politics, being in control of a particular issue

He'd originally intended to hold the election on May 3rd. The prime minister's decision to delay seems to have paid off since foot and mouth is no longer dominating the headlines, and the government have made a more or less convincing case that the disease is now under control.

A number of other factors coincide to make a June election desirable for the government. There are fears that the downturn in the international economy could start to filter through to Britain, a financial statement in March was designed to give people what is known as the "feel good factor",the logistics are already in place for local elections on June 7th and the weather is improving, lifting the gloom of a long and wet winter.

paid off: if something pays offit is successful

dominating the headlines: a news story which has been the most important for a period of time

coincide: here, a number of events which happen at the same time, coincide with each other

filter through: something which filters through reaches its target audience slowly and gradually

"feel good factor": A "Feel good factor" is a positive feeling throughout a country in response to a set of a events