Fixed-term Parliaments Bill Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Fixed-term Parliaments Bill

Andrew Turner Excerpts
Tuesday 16th November 2010

(13 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jonathan Edwards Portrait Jonathan Edwards
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The hon. Gentleman makes an interesting point. For every legislature where the Executive is decided from the legislature, the average is four years rather than five.

The only elections that break that cycle in the UK are the European elections. The elections held and the terms that we expect are the same for elections at all levels, so why are the UK Government seeking to introduce a term that is different from all meaningful precedents?

Andrew Turner Portrait Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con)
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Does the hon. Gentleman accept that France has a different length, as does Australia? What is so special about four years?