THE idea behind the 2011 Fixed-term Parliaments Act was to take the politics out of the dissolution of parliament and end the risk of snap General Elections.

Well, that didn’t last long did it?

When introducing the Bill, Nick Clegg, then Deputy Prime Minister, said that “by setting the date that parliament will dissolve, our prime minister is giving up the right to pick and choose the date of the next General Election – that’s a true first in British politics.”

Before then, the power to dissolve parliament was a prime minister’s greatest single weapon.

Theresa May showed yesterday that it still is.

Her decision to put a motion to the Commons for an early election was about as politically motivated a move as you can get.

With bookies offering 10/1 against Jeremy Corbyn ousting her from No.10, and Ukip rudderless, the decision shows Mrs May to be a shrewd political animal.

It also shows that she isn’t afraid of distracting ministers from the hideously complex task of negotiating Brexit to seize the chance of winning a crushing victory for her party.

MPs and their challengers are likely to face an increasingly cynical public sickened by broken promises. In the past three years we've had the EU membership and Scottish referendums, as well as a General Election, so there is also genuine risk of electoral overkill.

Consider too that national MPs will be on the stump at the same time as people in the Tees Valley prepare to elect their first mayor.

It is fair to say that the mayoral race has thus far failed to stir passions. The mayor will not hold a huge budget, but theirs will be a significant regional role with powers over jobs, transport and strategically important sites, such as the derelict Redcar steelworks and Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Make sure your voice is heard in June – but don't forget to vote on May 4 either.