Fixed-term Parliaments Bill

Mark Reckless Excerpts

Tuesday 18th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Chris Bryant]

The Deputy Leader of the House has made a fair point. However, because we are now putting in statute significant elements of the way in which the British constitution might work in the future, rather than, of necessity, what exists at present, we are creating a labyrinth which Prime Ministers may well wish to navigate. I shall say more about that shortly, once I have given way to the hon. Member for Rochester and Strood (Mark Reckless), who is talking to a Whip at the moment.

[Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (Con)]

rose—

[Chris Bryant]

I give way to the hon. Gentleman.

[Mark Reckless]

That is very kind.

I believe that there is a recent precedent in Canada, whose Parliament—if I understand the position correctly—was prorogued for two or three months by a minority Government, against the wishes of many parliamentary parties.