Observers of the American political system have long recognised that there is no longer an "off season" for campaigning. With short terms in the House of Representatives (2 years), it is little wonder that there is pressure to start the battle for re-election the moment the result is in. This has led to the coining of the term "the permanent campaign" - Norm Ornstein and Thomas Mann brought out a book in 2000, which was the subject of a Hansard Society Conference in London, called "The Permanent Campaign and Its Future ", which is an excellent read.Today in the House of Lords Lord Hylton will ask Her Majesty’s Government "whether they are considering limits on expenditure by political parties during general elections and on publicity and advertising between general elections."
Can the tide be held back?
