Fixed-term Parliaments (Repeal) Act 2020

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 Repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011

1. The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 is repealed.

2 Polling days for parliamentary general elections

1. This section applies for the purposes of the Timetable in rule 1 in Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 and is subject to section 3.
2. The polling day for the next parliamentary general election after the passing of this Act is to be 2 May 2024, unless an early general election is called in accordance with section 3.
3. The polling day for each subsequent parliamentary general election is to be the first Thursday following the elapse of five years from the polling day for the previous parliamentary general election unless an early general election is called in accordance with section 3.
4. The Parliament then in existence dissolves at the beginning of the 28th day before the polling day for the next parliamentary general election.

3 Early parliamentary general elections

1. An early parliamentary general election is to take place if Her Majesty by proclamation dissolves the Parliament then in existence.
2. If the Parliament then in existence is dissolved in accordance with subsection (1), the proclamation referred to in that subsection is to appoint the polling day for that election.

4 Dissolution of Parliament

1. The dates of polling day and dissolution are to be determined only in accordance with section 2(2) to (4) or section 3, and may not be altered by resolution or otherwise.
2. Once Parliament dissolves, the Lord Chancellor and, in relation to Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State have the authority to have the writs for the election sealed and issued (see rule 3 in Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983).
3. Once Parliament dissolves, Her Majesty may issue the proclamation summoning the new Parliament which may—
   1. appoint the day for the first meeting of the new Parliament;
   2. deal with any other matter which was normally dealt with before the passing of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 by proclamations summoning new Parliaments.

5 Short title, commencement, and extent

1. This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
2. This Act comes into force upon receiving Royal Assent.
3. This Act may be cited as the Fixed-term Parliaments (Repeal) Act 2020.