Septennial Act

The Septennial Act of 1716 was a British law that extended the maximum duration of a Parliament from three years to seven years. This act was passed by the Whig government of Prime Minister Robert Walpole following the Jacobite rising of 1715, which posed a threat to the Hanoverian succession. The act aimed to provide greater political stability by reducing the frequency of general elections and allowing governments more time to implement their policies.1

The Septennial Act significantly altered the political landscape by increasing the value of parliamentary seats and patronage, as MPs could now serve for a longer term. This measure was seen as a way to consolidate the power of the ruling Whig party and ensure the stability of the government against potential threats. The act remained in effect until it was replaced by the Parliament Act of 1911, which reduced the maximum term of Parliament to five years.12