Category Archives: Fixed-Date Elections

How the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act Complicates Brexit and An Early General Election

Posted on 2016/06/27 by J.W.J. Bowden

Fixed-Term Parliaments Act Introduction Various British MPs like Jacob Rees-Mogg and journalists like Peter Hitchens have called for an early general election in the wake of Leave’s victory in the Brexit referendum and Prime Minister Cameron’s announcement that he will … Continue reading →

Posted in Comparative, Confidence Convention, Confirmation Voting, Constitutional Conventions, Constructive Non-Confidence, Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Reform | Leave a comment

Ontario’s Next Provincial General Election: October 2018, Not June 2018

Posted on 2016/06/13 by J.W.J. Bowden

Update (18 November 2016): Please set the latest news on Ontario’s fixed-date election law: Finally! A Media Outlet Writes An Accurate Story on Ontario’s Next Provincial Election! Ontario’s Next Provincial General Election Has Only Just Been Scheduled for June 2018 … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Reform | 2 Comments

The Mandate Problem: Early Dissolutions and Fixed-Date Election Laws in Prince Edward Island and Alberta

Posted on 2015/04/09 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction This week, Premier Wade MacLaughlan of Prince Edward Island and Premier Jim Prentice of Alberta joined Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Premier Kathleen Wynne, and former Premier Pauline Marois as the four and fifth first ministers, respectively, in exposing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Reform | 1 Comment

Fixed-Date Election Foibles in the Provinces

Posted on 2015/03/24 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction After the federal general election of May 2011, some provinces found themselves facing the prospect of holding their provincial general elections simultaneously with the federal general election that will occur (presumably still) in October 2015. At the time, Saskatchewan, … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Reform | Leave a comment

Premier Marois Copies Prime Minister Harper: The Futility of Fixed-Date Elections Laws

Posted on 2014/03/05 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Notwithstanding Quebec’s new fixed-date election law, Premier Pauline Marois of Quebec advised the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the 40th Legislature on 5 March 2014, while the assembly was adjourned on recess and even though Marois’ single-party minority Parti Québécois … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Governor's Discretion, Prime Minister's Powers, Reform | 3 Comments