Guides

Gesture Politics

What does gesture politics mean? What are the best examples of gesture politics.Read More
Downing Street aide Ruth Turner questioned over loans for honours row

Government Bills

Government Bills are Public Bills that are introduced by Government Ministers.Read More
Treasury rejects report suggesting it lost £8.4 billion in VAT fraud last year

Government Spending

Government spending is controlled by the Treasury, which must account for all expenditure by departments. The Comprehensive Spending Review sets a Departmental Expenditure Limit, which is the department's budget going forward.Read More
David Cameron meets with his new policy board

Green Papers

Green Papers are consultative papers on the options that the Government has determined are available to it in a certain policy area, sometimes including suggestions for legislation.Read More

Green Party

The Green Party is a left of centre political party with a specific focus on environmentalism. In the 2019 General Election, the Green Party polled 2.7% of the popular vote. However at 48,500, the Green Party's membership is a quarter of that of the Conservatives and half that of the Lib Dems.Read More
Health and Safety

Health and Safety at Work Act

The 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act introduced a legal responsibility for employers to protect the health and safety of all those who work or visit them. In 2018 there were 147 fatal injuries in the workplace, compared with 651 in 1974. Similarly, non-fatal accidents are now 21% of the 1974 figure.Read More

Hereditary Peers

The 1999 House of Lords Act unseated all but 92 of the Peers who had inherited their right to sit in the House of Lords by birth. Of the current 92 hereditary peers, there are no female hereditary peers.Read More
The House of COmmons

House of Commons – An overview

The dominance of the House of Commons is derived from its position as the only elected element of Parliament. As such, it can claim popular sovereignty as well as the right to rule. A generic overview of how the Lower Chamber of Parliament operates.Read More
Bryant in the Commons: His clashes with Cameron have become decidedly colourful

House of Commons Sitting Hours

When Parliament is sitting, the House of Commons normally meets on Mondays at 2.30pm and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11.30pm. The length of the day is governed by the 'Moment of Interruption', the time when the Chair rises to put the questions that will dispose of the day's business.Read More
The nine lords were cleared today

House of Lords – An Overview

The House of Lords is the second chamber of Parliament and is also called the Upper House. A short overview of its operations, membership, and history. Peers can receive a daily attendance allowance of £313, albeit some chose not to take the payment, or accept a reduced figure of £157.Read More
Peers in the House of Lords, London | Copyright: PA

House of Lords Sitting Hours

When Parliament is sitting, the House of Lords normally meets on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2.30pm and on Thursdays at 11.30am. The House of Lords does not always sit on a Friday but when it does it meets at 11am.Read More
2010 general election was marred by queues as polls closed

How often are general elections held in the UK?

An overview of the regularlity of UK General Elections, including the current rules, past intervals, and the practices in other countries.Read More
Boris Johnson calls for a 'Tory' London mayor - "no mucking about"

How old is Boris Johnson?

How old is Boris Johnson? How does this compare with other political figures and previous prime ministers.Read More
Nicola Sturgeon refuses to appear before Scottish Affairs Committee  

How old is Nicola Sturgeon?

Details of the age of Nicola Sturgeon. Having become first minister at the age of 44, Sturgeon often appeared younger than her colleagues.Read More
John Bercow will be well aware today that the expenses scandal unseated his predecessor in the Speaker's chair

How the House of Commons Speaker is chosen

Commons Speaker - How is the Speaker Choosen?Read More

Human Rights Act

The Human Rights Act ensures everyone is granted certain rights and freedoms, and is treated equally regardless of their identity. The Act has led to a number of high profile court decisions ranging from Hillsborough to the freedom of the press.Read More
Jeremy Corbyn makes first keynote conference speech as Labour leader

Is Jeremy Corbyn Still part of the Labour Party?

An overview of Jeremy Corbyn's current relationship with the Labour Party. What comes next for the former party leader?Read More
Keir Starmer: Arise Sir Bathalot

Keir Starmer Jimmy Savile

The background behind the decision not to prosecute Jimmy Savile, and why that is linked, rightly or wrongly, to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.Read More
Kitchen Cabinet

Kitchen Cabinet

The Kitchen Cabinet is the term used to refer to the advisers at Number 10 who form the so-called 'inner circle' around the Prime Minister. The term was first used to describe the coterie of political allies that formed around Harold Wilson led by the formidable Marcia Williams. Read More