Recommendation 15

Changing the current arrangements to allow the Government to designate a vote a matter of confidence that if lost would trigger a general election—an established practice under the old arrangements—could be a retrograde step. If it were included in any future arrangements, it would clearly empower the Executive (via the Government Whips) and weaken the House of Commons, in particular Government backbenchers. This would be a matter of political judgment and the Committee does not advocate one way or the other at this point. The Committee recommends that proposals to include the ability for the Government to designate 34 The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 a vote of confidence are included in the review committee’s terms of reference, and if this is to be taken forward, it is given proper consideration by the House. (Paragraph 83) Prorogation