Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011

The Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011 fixes the date of the next UK Parliamentary general election at 7 May 2015, and provides for five-year fixed terms.

There are two ways in which an election could be triggered before the end of the five-year term:

• if a motion of no confidence is passed and no alternative government is found
• or if a motion for an early general election is agreed either by at least two-thirds of the House or without division.