text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Fixed Term Parliaments Bill - Early General Elections
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  @ MP voted no in favour of exceptions from the five year fixed term of a parliament as well as to preserve the monarch's powers in relation determining when MPs meet in Parliament. 
  
  @ MP voted aye for no exceptions from the five year fixed term of a parliament and against the monarch have powers in relation determining when MPs meet in Parliament. 
  
  
  The majority of MPs voted in favour of exceptions from the five year fixed term of a parliament, enabling early general elections to be called in certain circumstances as well as to preserve the monarch's powers in relation determining when MPs meet in Parliament. 
  
  
  MPs were considering the Fixed Term Parliament's Bill[1][2]. The motion approved by the majority of MPs was:
  
  :That clauses 2 to 4 stand part of the Bill.
  
  Clause 1 provided for general elections to be held every five years; (allowing the Prime Minister to vary the date by two months earlier or later). 
  
  Clause 2 provided for early general elections in the case of a motion calling one being passed either unopposed, or by two-thirds of MPs, or where a motion of no-confidence in the government is passed, and within 14 days a motion of confidence in a government has not been passed.
  
  Clause 3 makes the key necessary changes to elections law and the law concerning the meeting of Parliament in light of fixed days for elections.
  
  Clause 4 preserves the monarch's power to discontinue a session of Parliament and to proclaim the first meeting date of a new Parliament following a general election. 
  
  Without Clause 2, there would be general elections every 5 years, with no exceptions. The main impact of the removal of these clauses from the Bill would have been to remove the exceptions. 
  
  
  =
  
  * [1] [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/fixedtermparliaments.html Fixed Term Parliaments Bill (now an act) page on Parliament's website] 
  * [2] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmbills/064/11064.1-7.html#Extraordinary%20elections%20reset%20version Text of the Fixed Term Parliaments Bill as at the time of the vote]
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  