Repealing the Fixed Term Parliaments Act

The Conservative party manifesto had a clear commitment to repeal the FTPA (as did the Labour party), which was repeated in the Queen’s speech. Nothing further has happened from the government. But in September two parliamentary committees published reports explaining the complications, which include reviving the prerogative power of dissolution, allowing the Prime Minister to decide the timing of elections, and whether parliaments should run for four or five years.

Speakers

• Baroness (Ann) Taylor, chair of the Lords Constitution Committee, will discuss the findings of their report on the FTPA
• Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP, chair of the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, will talk about the FTPA report from PACAC
• Professor Petra Schleiter (University of Oxford) will put the issues in a comparative perspective.

The seminar will be chaired by Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit.