| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to make provision about the dissolution and calling of Parliament, including provision for the repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2022 c. 11 |
| Introduced by | Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Commons) Lord True, Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Lords) |
| Territorial extent |
|
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 24 March 2022 |
| Commencement | 24 March 2022 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | |
| Repeals/revokes | |
| Amended by | Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
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The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022[1][2] (c. 11) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that repealed the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 and reinstated the prior constitutional situation, by reviving the power of the monarch to dissolve and summon parliament. As the monarch exercises this power at the request of the prime minister, this restored the power of the prime minister to have a general election called at a time chosen by the prime minister.[3][4]
It was originally drafted as the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (Repeal) Bill.[5] Announced formally in the 2021 State Opening of Parliament,[6] it received its first reading on 12 May 2021 and received Royal Assent on 24 March 2022.[7][8] It was introduced by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove.
The act fulfilled the government's manifesto promise to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.[9] In response to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruling that the 2019 prorogation was unlawful, the act contains an ouster clause which seeks to ensure the non-justiciability of the revived prerogative powers.[5] This could prevent the courts from making rulings in relation to the sovereign's power to dissolve Parliament.[10]
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- ^ "Queen's Speech 2021". gov.uk. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ Merrick, Rob (11 May 2021). "Boris Johnson grabs back power to call snap general election by scrapping fixed five-year terms". The Independent. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ "Boris Johnson pushes for power to call election at any time". BBC News. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
The government has set in motion its plan for prime ministers to regain the power to call general elections whenever they like.
- ^ "MPs quiz Minister on new reforms to calling general elections". UK Parliament. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
The new Bill looks to restore the power of the Prime Minister to call elections when they choose.
- ^ a b "Draft Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (Repeal) Bill" (PDF). gov.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ "Johnson to restore power to choose general election date". Shropshire Star. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
- ^ "Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ "Tried and tested system for calling elections restored". GOV.UK (Press release). 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Government to fulfil manifesto commitment and scrap Fixed-term Parliaments Act". gov.uk. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "What does the new Dissolution Bill do?". BBC News. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2022.