Professor Tim Bale writes for BBC News about the upcoming general election announced by Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday. “The UK doesn't generally do snap elections,” says Professor Bale, “since World War Two, there are really only two other examples of a prime minister going to the country within a year or two of the previous contest.” In 1966, Labour's Harold Wilson went to the country just under 18 months after winning in October 1964. John Major also waited 16 months after replacing Margaret Thatcher before calling an election in 1992, but while his victory left the Conservatives with a much reduced majority, he had avoided what two years previously looked like certain defeat. “History, then, appears to be on Theresa May's side. But, given the unpredictability of the current political climate, the outcome is far from guaranteed,” adds Professor Bale.More »Professor Bale also wrote an opinion piece for The Conversation and featured in City A.M