Triennial Act passed

Question 1

Triennial Act passed:

Date

Answer 1

1694

Question 2

Triennial Act passed:

Summary

Answer 2

Attempt by Whig Junto to push through Triennial bill.

Was passed by both Houses and William was forced to use his royal veto to deny the bill becoming law.

• King was only holding onto his position of predominance within the political system with difficulty.
• But dominance of Whig Junto meant that the Triennial Bill receive royal assent January 1694.

Provisions:

• A parliament could not last longer than 3 years, which meant general elections could be held more regularly.
• More seats were contested in these regular elections.

The Act was repealed in 1716 and replaced with the Septennial Act, which allowed for elections every 7 years.

Question 3

Triennial Act passed:

Significance

Answer 3

Regular elections meant that it was difficult for the Crown to establish a party in the House of Commons, leading to William becoming more reliant on securing support from MPs.

Also meant that rivalry between Whigs and Tories was v. strong due to partisan politics.

• Period 1690-1715 is referred to as the Rage of Party, characterised by the instability caused by frequent elections by historians.
• With more regular elections came a renewed interest in politics from those outside the immediate political nation. Combined with the end of the Licencing Act this meant that the electorate was better informed than ever before.

Act gave the Commons a new-found confidence LED TO a number of inquiries being set up to investigate corruption in government in 1695.

BUT although the Triennial Act did enhance the power of parliament, this authority would not have been possible without the Bill of Rights.

• Under its terms, parliament had to give approval for a standing army to be kept in peace time and taxation without parliamentary consent was illegal.