What is the length of a parliamentary term in the UK?
From the end of World War II until 2011 the parliamentary term was 5 years or less: the Prime Minister of the day could request a parliamentary dissolution (in other words call a general election before the full five years were up).
The 2011 Fixed Term Parliament Act set the length of a parliament for a UK Government in Westminster, and for all future UK Governments, at no more and no less than 5 years.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
67 Comments
Cooch
Five years or less,if an election is triggered. Just happened Theresa May.
Roger Beattie
This is the wrong answer. It is a maximum of five years, so answer is five years or less!
stewarthair
Did this question get approved without anyone doing the research?? The system is used by other parliamentary based countries such as Canada it is a "term or less" including a vote of non-confidence in the government.
Poorly done folks!
Albeck1994
Wrong answer it still 5 years or less. Teresa may just called an election before the 5 years were up
Michael Fulthorpe
5 Years maximum means could be less. Wrong correct answer yet again or question needs to be reworded.
Robin Percival
This is completely wrong. The Fixed Parliament Act was repealled by the Johnson Government, so we are back to 5 years or less.
andrewhpodd
Good job I do not take these questions too seriously, as a number of the answers given are incorrect. Has the questioner at least not even heard of a vote of no confidence and resignation of a govt during its elected term?!
Jerry Edwards
John Moore,
Which is precisely what happened for BoJo the Clown to come into power!
Jerry Edwards
Cooch,
Didn't it also happen in 2019 with Boris Johnson?
Noelito
The questioner either doesn't reside on the UK or has a dearth of knowledge of the British political system. Or both! 🙄
Mick Shotton
The answer is wrong as people as have said. They did pass the Fixed term act then next government decided to ignore it because it suited them. The question should be what should the term be.
Mallory
Got 5 years
Cottec
Five years or less.
Dallas Nash
Rubbish! If it had to be exactly 5 years then how could Theresa May have called an election in 2016. Check your facts first
Sherry St Clair Copley
5 years or less!!!
Ceil G.
The term is for 5 years, but under certain circumstances it can be less.
Alec Boreham
Wrong. 5 years or less is the correct answer.
John Moore
Sadly this isn't true - the correct answer is five years or less. The Con/LibDems coalition tried to make the term strictly five years but then Theresa May called a snap election in 2017 only two years after the last election. She will have regretted that decision because she didn't win an overall majority and we could be looking at a 2019 General Election if she loses the vote on the Brexit agreement. So NOT five years
Angus Macdonald
Five years or less. Get your facts right.
Michele Fraser
5 years or less!