This week, Parliament produced two signs of the upcoming election. Crucial work on tweaking Parliament's rules and a new calendar that may hint at an election date.
Parliament is a seasonal creature with daily, weekly, and annual patterns, like nature, with predictable rhythms and known harbingers announcing major occasions.
This week, two moments heralded next year's election: the proposed sitting calendar for 2026, devised by the Leader of the House, Chris Bishop, and agreed by the Business Committee.
The sitting calendars are usually a simple annual sign, foreshadowing the year's approaching end, and promising another to come.
Unusually, this calendar hints at when the election might be.
Author's summary: Parliament shows signs of the 2026 election.