Fixed-Term Parliaments Bill: Consideration of Commons amendment

The Commons again disagreed with the group of amendments requiring each new Parliament to vote to fix its term at five years during its consideration of Lords amendments yesterday. The House of Lords returned the Bill to the Commons with the group of amendments re-instated in July.

The Commons has proposed an amendment in lieu that would provide for a review of the Act. Such a review would include consideration of whether the Act should be repealed

The House of Lords may again insist on its ‘sunset’ clause requiring subsequent Parliaments to approve the fixing of their term at five years.

Both Houses must reach agreement on the Bill for it to receive Royal Assent and pass into law.

• Watch the live debate on Parliament TV (follows consideration of Commons amendments to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill)
• Read a transcript of the debate from Today in the Lords (available approximately three hours after the debate begins)
• Marshalled List of Motion and Amendment to be moved on Consideration of Commons Amendment in Lieu as at 13 September 2011

Further information

The Bill sets a fixed day for general elections for the UK Parliament to be held as the first Thursday in May every five years, and sets the length of UK Parliaments as a five-year fixed term.

• Bills before Parliament: Fixed Term Parliaments Bill
• Fixed Term Parliaments Bill: Lords rejects Commons amendment and reason
• Lords news: Fixed-term Parliaments Bill report stage day
• Lords news: Fixed-term Parliaments Bill: committee stage
• Lords news: Fixed-term Parliaments Bill: second reading 

The exact wording of a Bill must be agreed on by both Houses. If the Lords disagrees with any Commons amendments, or makes alternative proposals, then the Bill is sent back to the Commons. A Bill may go back and forth between each House – known as ‘ping pong’ – until both Houses reach agreement.

• Passage of a Bill: Consideration of amendments