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Proceeding contribution from Chris Bryant (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 18 January 2011. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Fixed-term Parliaments Bill.


Fixed-term Parliaments Bill

I am slightly flummoxed by the hon. Gentleman's charming naivety about what might have happened after the general election. The Bill does many things that are inappropriate, but I do not think it does that, and the truth of the matter is that there have been many changes of Administration over the centuries under the existing arrangements, not least in the first and second world wars. Having a fixed-term Parliament does not in itself mean what the hon. Gentleman has described will happen. It is perfectly possible that we will win a significant number of by-elections over the coming years, or that some Liberal Democrats or others may change their party affiliation, and—[Interruption.]It is possible; I said only that. The Minister should do the nice bit again. In such circumstances, the mathematics would change.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
521 c726-7 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Administration General elections Fixed-term parliaments Dissolution Censure motions Prorogation Sunset clauses
Legislation
Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 2010-12
Parliament Act 1911
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk