Fixed-term Parliaments (Repeal) Bill [HL]

A Bill to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011.

Originating House

House of Lords

Parliament last updated

2 May 2017

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

This Bill would repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, removing the fixed timetable for general elections. It would restore the previous system where the Prime Minister can seek the dissolution of Parliament and call an early general election, subject to constitutional conventions rather than a fixed five-year schedule.

Key Points

Repeals the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011.
Restores the pre-2011 framework for dissolving Parliament and calling elections.
Allows an early general election at the government’s request, within the usual term, rather than on a fixed date.
Dissolution would be granted through the Crown on the Prime Minister's advice, not under fixed statutory rules.
Lords-originated bill; currently at the 2nd Reading in the Lords.

Progress

The bill is at the Second Reading stage in the Lords. No further stages have been completed in this session.

Who is affected?

Members of Parliament (both MPs and Lords)The Prime Minister and other government ministersPolitical parties (government and opposition)Voters across the United KingdomElectoral administrators and the Electoral CommissionCivil service involved in elections and dissolution decisions

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingLords

6 Sept 2016

2nd readingLords

Committee stageLords

Report stageLords

3rd readingLords

1st readingCommons

2nd readingCommons

Committee stageCommons

Report stageCommons

3rd readingCommons

Royal Assent

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Fixed-term Parliaments (Repeal)

1 Jan 1970

First reading took place on 6 September. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.

Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.

The 2016-2017 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.

Documents (1)

HL Bill 59 (as introduced)

BillLords

6 Sept 2016

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

Fixed-term Parliaments (Repeal) Bill [HL] | TrackPolitics