Which provision was introduced by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011?

The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 established the principle of holding general elections at five-year intervals, which was a significant change in UK electoral law. Prior to this act, the Prime Minister could request the monarch to dissolve Parliament and call for a general election at any time, which created a situation where elections could be called opportunistically.

By setting a fixed term of five years, barring certain circumstances such as a two-thirds majority in the House of Commons voting for an early election, or a vote of no confidence in the government, the act aimed to create more stability and predictability in the electoral process. This means that unless these specific criteria are met, elections will occur at set intervals, giving both the public and political parties a clearer timeframe for campaigning and governance.

This shift aligns with a broader democratic principle of ensuring that voters have a regular opportunity to express their preferences through elections without the potential for manipulation by the ruling party. The correct choice reflects this aim of establishing a structured approach to parliamentary terms and elections.