Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Paragraph: 19
The Act has clearly also altered the default expectation with regards to the timing of...
Conclusion
The Act has clearly also altered the default expectation with regards to the timing of elections. The expectation is now that, where the Government has a working majority, a Parliament will normally last a full five-year term. Given that there are mechanisms for an early election included in the Act, the length of a Parliament is never truly a fixed term and, in this regard, the Act was misnamed. While changes may need to be made to the current arrangements, the Committee can see no good reason for altering the default expectation that parliaments should run their full term and elections will occur at scheduled times, thereby providing certainty for those administering elections and for the public who vote in them. The only exceptions should be in circumstances where an early general election is the only means of resolving political deadlock, or if the House of Commons expresses no confidence in the Government.
Paragraph Reference:
19
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
As the Committee observes, since 2015 the Act has not had its intended effect. Neither the 2015 Parliament nor the 2017 Parliament lasted for a full-five year term. The fact that 4 Sixth Special Report of Session 2019-21 Parliament had to introduce bespoke primary legislation in 2019 to allow for an early general election shows that the FTPA has not worked effectively. The Government’s Bill to repeal the FTPA makes express provision to revive the prerogative power to dissolve Parliament meaning that once more Parliament will be dissolved by the Sovereign, on the advice of the Prime Minister. This will enable Governments, within the life of a Parliament, to call a general election at the time of their choosing, but the Bill provides for five year Parliamentary terms, as before the FTPA, and therefore there is certainty as to the maximum length of a Parliament and the latest date for a parliamentary general election. As a result of this provision Parliament will automatically dissolve at the end of the five year term, if not dissolved earlier. The Government shares the Committee’s concerns about political deadlock.