Is a snap General Election allowed?

[d000hg]

With the fixed-term parliament law, does that mean the Government is unable to call an election at any other time barring votes of no confidence and so on?

[eek]

With the fixed-term parliament law, does that mean the Government is unable to call an election at any other time barring votes of no confidence and so on?

Yep political tricks would be required to call an early election... People on politicalbetting covered the options a while back and they worked out a couple of means by which an early election could be called - it wasn't easy though and you can no longer do it in six weeks. I think to get an election in late October due to all the Parliamentary holidays the process needed to begin in very early July....

[NickFitz]

They can call an election by getting a Commons vote to do so passed by, IIRC, two-thirds of MPs. The only other way is a vote of no confidence. At least that's what I remember from when they were wittering about it on PM while I was driving home the other day.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed-...ments_Act_2011

The law itself: Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011

[northernladyuk]

Repeal of the Fixed Term Parliament Act requires a simple majority.

[cojak]

Repeal of the Fixed Term Parliament Act requires a simple majority.

And not just the biggest willy NLYUK?

[barrydidit]

Repeal of the Fixed Term Parliament Act requires a simple majority.

This is about elections, not erections love. Stick to what you know.

[cojak]

This is about elections, not erections love. Stick to what you know.

I suspect she's had more politians than you've had hot dinners.

Things like that must rub off on her...

[jamesbrown]

Repeal of the Fixed Term Parliament Act requires a simple majority.

Exactly. This is why the FTPA is worth less than face value. Getting it repealed through the Lords might be trickier, but it looks like someone is trying to get a headstart

Fixed-term Parliaments (Repeal) Bill [HL] 2016-17 — UK Parliament

That said, meeting the requirements of the FTPA (without repeal) would not be overly difficult. It's an impediment, but it certainly doesn't block a GE before 2020.

Also, it's worth noting that this was only implemented as a confidence trick to support the coalition. It's definitely going to be repealed at some point.

[northernladyuk]

And not just the biggest willy NLYUK?

This is about elections, not erections love. Stick to what you know.

@cojak, my girls can certainly confirm that barry is one of the lesser members.