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non-confidence
DCHP-2 (Jul 2016)
n. & adj. — Politics, Law, Administration
an expression of lack of confidence in a government, or other governing body; often in vote or motion of non-confidence or non-confidence vote.
Type: 5. Frequency — The Prime Minister and the Cabinet must have the majority support, the "confidence", of the House of Commons. Votes may be taken by the House to determine whether there is confidence or non-confidence. If the result is non-confidence, the government is expected to resign. Parliament is then dissolved and a new election is called (see Parliament of Canada reference). If a budget fails to pass, this result also is seen as a non-confidence vote. These rules hold for the provinces as well; in territories where there are no parties, members hold the vote of non-confidence.
Non-confidence is a preservation from British English. It was in use in the UK in the 19th century (see, e.g. the 1844 quotation from the London Times), although it seems to have lost currency at the expense of the synonym "no-confidence".
In most other locations, "no-confidence" is the preferred term, while in Canada non-confidence is most prevalent (see Charts 1 & 2); however, "no-confidence" is also fairly common. Data suggest that prevalence of one term over the other fluctuates greatly depending on the compound and the lexicalized phrase used. For example, searches indicate that "motion of non-confidence" is four times more prevalent in .ca domains than "motion of no-confidence". However, "non-confidence motion" is 2.5 times less frequent in .ca domains than "no-confidence motion", suggesting that there is no general preference for one term over the other.
Similar tests conducted in .gc.ca domains (Canadian government domains) demonstrate a marked preference for non- over "no-", but not without exception.
See also COD-2, s.v. "non-confidence", which is marked "Cdn".
Non-confidence is a preservation from British English. It was in use in the UK in the 19th century (see, e.g. the 1844 quotation from the London Times), although it seems to have lost currency at the expense of the synonym "no-confidence".
In most other locations, "no-confidence" is the preferred term, while in Canada non-confidence is most prevalent (see Charts 1 & 2); however, "no-confidence" is also fairly common. Data suggest that prevalence of one term over the other fluctuates greatly depending on the compound and the lexicalized phrase used. For example, searches indicate that "motion of non-confidence" is four times more prevalent in .ca domains than "motion of no-confidence". However, "non-confidence motion" is 2.5 times less frequent in .ca domains than "no-confidence motion", suggesting that there is no general preference for one term over the other.
Similar tests conducted in .gc.ca domains (Canadian government domains) demonstrate a marked preference for non- over "no-", but not without exception.
See also COD-2, s.v. "non-confidence", which is marked "Cdn".
Quotations
1844
[M. Mermilliod, who followed, began by observing, that he was no the organ of any opposition, nor did he concur in the vote of "non-confidence" in the Cabinet proposed to the assembly; he would confine himself to justifying the conduct of Admiral Dupetit Thouars, with whose friendship he had long been honoured.]
1858
Hon. Mr. Brown intends to give the House fits for the vote of non-confidence passed against him.
1880
It was stronger than the last one had been, and only existed a few weeks, when a vote of non-confidence was passed.
1900
In Newfoundland, the Government of Sir James Winter, owing to dissensions in the Cabinet, and a consequent vote of non-confidence, has resigned.
1928
He forces his brother Denis to sleep on the floor by the threat of further votes of non-confidence in the Students' Parliament.
1934
Still another blow at the solidarity of the C.C.F. movement was struck on Thursday evening, it was learned, when representatives of twenty Toronto C.C.F clubs passed a motion of non-confidence in the Provincial Executive after four Toronto clubs had been reported expelled by the executive.
1958
He must decide whether the Liberal opposition in the Commons should try immediately to overturn the Progressive Conservative Government on a motion of non-confidence and thus possibly bring about a general election late in March [...].
1970
Miss Jacobs moved non-confidence in the tenure
committee which made the decision and its head.
The motion was carried by show of hands.
1983
Hollis, running on a yes/no ballot, received only a 65.4 per cent favorable vote. He denies the low level of support is an indication of non-confidence.
1999
In the Dec. 11 article, Guelph Chief Has Support Of Former Commission Member, T. Sher Singh defends police Chief Lenna Bradburn's administration, saying she was hired to modernize policing and that a non-confidence vote is unethical and unprofessional.
References
- COD-2
- Parliament of Canada • "The Confidence Convention"
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 5 Jul. 2013
