Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 2010-11

Latest news on the Bill

Line by line examination of the Bill took place during the third day of committee stage on 29 March. Amendments discussed covered clauses 2 and 5.

Report stage – further line by line examination of the Bill - is scheduled for 10 May.

Summary of the Bill

The Bill fixes the date of the next General Election at 7 May 2015, and provides for five-year fixed terms. It includes provisions to allow the Prime Minister to alter the date by up to two months by Order. There are also two ways in which an election could be triggered before the end of the five-year term:

• if a motion of no confidence is passed and no alternative government is found
• or if a motion for an early general election is agreed either by at least two-thirds of the House or without division

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