There is much speculation about the Prime Minister ‘calling’ an early election. A Prime Minister cannot ‘call’ an early election. The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 put paid to that. I have previously explained the provisions of the Act. The PM can go to the House of Commons to get it to vote (by a 2/3 majority) for an early election under s2 of the Act. An election also takes place if a vote of no confidence is carried and if, within 14 days, there is a failure to form a new government and obtain a vote of confidence. That is it. The Queen has no powers now in respect of dissolution.
Some commentators still seem unaware of the provisions of the Act, hence claims that the PM is considering ‘calling’ a ‘snap’ election. Some are now aware of the implications, but seem to think its provisions can somehow be got around. They cannot without a new Act of Parliament. As I have explained in a post on my blog, a simple measure of repeal is not as simple as it sounds. Repeal by itself would mean that Parliament could continue in perpetuity, since there would be no statutory limit on its length. Repealing the Act would not bring back the earlier legislation stipulating the maximum length of a Parliament. One would need to stipulate what would replace it. One could bring back what previously existed, but that would need to be provided for in the measure. One could enact a Bill to provide for an election at a particular date. The point is that legislation would be required. The 2011 Act cannot be ‘fixed’ other than by fresh legislation.