ignorant question about UK system, if you please

[tjwmason]

3. muriel gave a very thorough answer

I'd just add that such an act would be unable to remove the requirement that a parliament last five years maximum without the explicit agreement of the Lords (in which the coalition has no majority, as noted above).

The Lords has the power to delay most legislation, no power over financial legislation, and still retains veto power over legislation affecting the length of parliaments. This was last used in 1945, the 1935 parliament had its life extended (one year at a time) due to the war effort; in 1945 after VE Day but before VJ Day the Commons supported a further year's extension but the Lords refused to play ball.

Thus if such a bill were passed, it wouldn't be able to affect the requirement for the government to face the voters every five years (plus a few weeks for the election campaign).

Of course, even with British party discipline (which is far higher than in Congress), the thought that all M.P.s from any party would support such a bill is extreme.