Overview

This bill seeks to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, returning the power to call general elections to the Prime Minister. The 2011 Act introduced fixed five-year terms for parliaments, with exceptions for specific circumstances. This bill removes those fixed terms.

Description

The primary purpose of this bill is to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 in its entirety. This means that the five-year fixed term for general elections will no longer apply. The Prime Minister will regain the prerogative to call a general election at any time, subject to existing constitutional conventions.

Transitional Provisions

The Secretary of State will have the power to create regulations to manage the transition after the repeal, but these regulations must be approved by both Houses of Parliament.

Commencement

Section 1 (the repeal of the 2011 Act) will come into effect two months after the bill becomes law. Other sections, dealing with regulations and the short title, come into force immediately upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant direct impact on UK government spending. The repeal itself has no associated costs. Any potential costs would be related to the transitional regulations made by the Secretary of State, but the extent of these is not specified in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• The Prime Minister and Government: Regains the power to call elections, enhancing executive power.
• Parliament: The House of Commons and House of Lords will lose the fixed election cycle dictated by the 2011 Act and will return to a system governed by political convention.
• Political Parties: Will need to adapt to a more unpredictable election cycle. Campaigning and resource allocation will be affected.
• Voters: The timing of future general elections becomes less predictable.

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