Government confidence procedure

Article 49 provides several procedures involving Government responsibility: approval of a programme or general policy statement, a motion of no confidence, and responsibility attached to passage of a bill under paragraph 3. The Prime Minister acts under the constitutional conditions for each route. Outcomes can include political approval, passage of a text or the Government's resignation.

The Prime Minister makes the Government's responsibility contingent on a bill, after which MPs may table a motion of no confidence.

Government confidence procedures are broader than Article 49.3 alone.

Based on Article 49

Initiated or tested under defined constitutional procedures

Can lead to confidence, passage or resignation