>> Boris can delay an election until December 2024. Under the 5 year parliaments act the
>> only way it can be held earlier is if there is a 2/3 majority.
I understand the government are committed to repealing the Fixed Term Parliaments Act. The current Elections Bill does not deal with the point but the intention is probably for a short bill with only enough clauses to repeal and restore the status quo ante.
I agree the government would be unlikely to lose a simple no confidence vote.
Whether it could, with the Fixed Term Parliaments act still in force, call an early election is interesting.
Two years ago there seemed to be a determination to hold Johnson's feet to the fire over Brexit but various interests, not least the LibDems under Jo Swinson, caved in and allowed the Early Parliamentary General Election Act 2019 to pass. It would be interesting to see whether opposition parties facing defeat in an election proposed by government and on the back of incentives like tax cuts allowed such an election to go ahead.
If the Covid inquiry were running by then and could be expedited then a 'feet to fire' argument might have legs.
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