A Bill to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011; to make provision about the dissolution of Parliament and the determination of polling days for parliamentary general elections; and for connected purposes
House of Lords
8 November 2019
This Bill would repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, removing its fixed five-year election cycle and the limited routes for dissolving Parliament. It would restore the pre-2011 system by reintroducing the Prime Minister's power to seek dissolution and to set a general election date, subject to constitutional conventions and any detailed rules included in the Bill. It also provides for connected provisions about how elections are to be scheduled and run.
The Bill is currently at the second reading stage in the Lords. If it progresses, it would move to committee stage, then report stage, and then proceed to the Commons for consideration.
Generated 21 February 2026
First reading took place on 28 October. 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 2017-19 Parliament dissolved at the end of the 2019 Session and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
