In a surprising turn of events, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that an election will take place on 4th July, resulting in the closure of Parliament. This decision has left the government with just two days to decide the fate of crucial bills, either rushing them through or abandoning them altogether.

One of the bills affected by this time constraint is the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a flagship policy of the prime minister. The bill, aimed at creating a smoke-free generation, would have prohibited individuals born after 2009 from purchasing cigarettes. However, due to its incomplete passage through the House of Commons and concerns from some Conservative members about personal choice, the bill faced challenges that made rapid progress difficult.

Labour, who backs the proposed legislation, has expressed the possibility of reintroducing the bill should they emerge victorious in the upcoming election. Meanwhile, another bill promised by the Conservative Party in their 2019 election manifesto, which seeks to ban no-fault evictions, was also in jeopardy due to backbenchers pushing for greater protections for landlords. Although Labour indicated they would let the bill go through, time constraints caused by amendments from independent peers in the House of Lords meant the legislation was unable to be passed.

Another significant bill dropped due to the election announcement is the wide-ranging Leasehold and Freehold Bill. This legislation aimed to make it more affordable and accessible for individuals to extend their lease, purchase their freehold, and take over building management. However, plans to eliminate or cap ground rent charges at £250, which leaseholders pay on top of their mortgage, were ultimately abandoned.

Considering the extensive amendments still left to debate, the passage of this bill through the Commons within the limited time frame available would have proved challenging. Other bills impacted by the election include proposals to give police powers to move rough sleepers, create an offense of causing death by dangerous cycling, and ban sex offenders from changing their names.

As Parliament shuts down, the fate of these bills hangs in the balance. With the election fast approaching, the government and opposition parties will be focusing on their campaigns, leaving the future of these legislative proposals uncertain for now.