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The Parliament of the United Kingdom is, by law, dissolved after a five year term, as laid down in the Parliament Act 1911. This may, however, be overridden at a time of national emergency. The length of Parliament has been extended on two occasions since 1911, once during each of the two World Wars.

However, a sitting Prime Minister can at any time request the Sovereign to dissolve parliament and call a general election.

In accordance with constitutional convention, the Prime Minister must seek permission from the Sovereign in order to dissolve the House of Commons. This is because such a convention is one of the Royal Prerogatives of the Sovereign, which in modern times are exercised solely on the advice of the Prime Minister. The last time that the sovereign rejected the advice of the Prime Minister was in 1923, when King George V did not dissolve Parliament when requested by Stanley Baldwin but instead invited Ramsay MacDonald to become Prime Minister.

A Royal Proclamation is made requiring the despatch of writs to summon a new parliament. This is the start of the general election timetable, which runs for 18 days, counting the issue of the writs as day 0 and polling day as day 17 (weekends and public holidays are not counted).

Members of Parliament cease to be so, as soon as it is dissolved, and, although they and their staff continue to be paid until polling day, they may not enter the Palace of Westminster.

Prior to 1918, it was the Cabinet who collectively sought permission from the monarch in order for Parliament to be dissolved. However, since 1918, the Prime Minister alone seeks the permission of the Sovereign.

The last dissolution of Parliament was in April 2005, and the 2005 general election held on May 5.

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