CONTENTS
Terms of Reference
Chapter 1: Introduction
The provisions of the Fixed-term Parliaments
Bill
The scope of this report
The history of the fixed-term Parliaments
debate
The development of this Bill
The Bill and the Government's aims for constitutional
reform
Chapter 2: The principal of fixed-term Parliaments
The nature of fixed-term Parliaments
Table 1: Continuum of fixed-term experience
The case for fixed terms
The case against fixed terms
Conclusion
Chapter 3: The length of the parliamentary
term and election timing
Table 2: Length of time between general elections
post 1945
The case for a five year term
The case against a five year term
Conclusion on term length
Resetting the clock
Election timing—the devolved institutions
Sessional arrangements
Chapter 4: Early parliamentary general elections
The need for a safety valve
The need for two distinct mechanisms
The two-thirds majority vote
Motions of no confidence
Definition of a no confidence motion
The role of the Speaker
Formation of an alternative government following
a no confidence motion
Is 14 days the most appropriate length of
time for government formation?
How can the Commons pass a motion of confidence
in a government which does not yet exist?
May a government which has lost the confidence
of the Commons reconstitute itself?
Government manipulation of the no confidence
process
Government resignation
Abolition of the prerogative in respect of
dissolution
Retaining the prerogative in respect of prorogation
Judicial review of early dissolution arrangements
Further drafting issues relating to clause
2
Chapter 5: The process of scrutiny
The development of the Government's policies
Interrelationship with other reform proposals
Pre-legislative scrutiny and consultation
The Parliament Acts
Chapter 6: Summary of recommendations
Appendix 1: Select Committee on the Constitution
Appendix 2: List of witnesses
Appendix 3: Comparison of electoral cycles
of selected legislatures
Oral Evidence
6 October 2010
20 October 2010
27 October 2010
3 November 2010
NOTE: Evidence taken at or in connection with a public
hearing is printed in this volume. Other evidence is published
online at http://www.parliament.uk/hlconstitution
and available for inspection at the Parliamentary Archives (020
7219 5314)
References in footnotes to the Report are as follows:
Q refers to a question in oral evidence;
FTP 1 refers to written evidence as listed in
Appendix 2.
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