Guides
Acts of ParliamentDevolved GovernmentHouse of CommonsHouse of LordsLegislative ProcessWhitehallPolitical PartiesPublic InterestThe Political Process Display All

Mental Health Act
The Mental Health Act is the central piece of mental health legislation that lays out the circumstances that justify people being 'sectioned' in England and Wales.Read More

Ministerial Code
The Ministerial Code requires Ministers to uphold the seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.Read More

Ministerial Statements
Ministerial Statements are either delivered in writing, or orally in person by the relevant Government Minister, appearing at the Dispatch Box in the Commons Chamber.Read More

Ministers of the Crown
Members of Parliament and Peers appointed by the Prime Minister to the Government are known as Ministers of the Crown. All Ministers, of whatever rank, have a Private Office of four or more civil servants assigned to him or her on appointment.Read More

Modern Slavery Act
The Modern Slavery Act introduced tougher penalties on the perpetrators of modern slavery, as well as more extensive support for its victims. At the time of its introduction, it was suggested that as many as 13,000 people were trapped in forced labour in the UK. Read More

Money Bills
Money Bills are Bills that deal solely with expenditure. The 'privilege' of the Commons on financial arrangements has long been accepted. The Commons Speaker designates a Bill, a Money Bill, before it arrives in the Lords.Read More

Next UK General Election
With the repeal of the Fixed Term Parliament Act, Boris Johnson will have the power to call a General Election prior to May 2024 should he wish to do so. Israel and Japan also both allow their governments to decide the next election date.Read More

Northern Ireland Assembly
The Northern Ireland Assembly has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly reserved to Westminster, and to appoint the Northern Ireland Executive. The Assembly sits at the Parliament Buildings at Stormont in the east of Belfast.Read More

Oral Questions
Each Government Department's Ministers face oral questioning at least once every four weeks in the House of Commons. Questions on the Order Paper not reached in the time allowed receive a written answer.Read More

Parliament Act
The Parliament Act allows for a Bill to become law without the agreement of the Lords when certain conditions have been met. The Bill must have been introduced and passed by the Commons in two consecutive Sessions, with the Lords on both occasions actively preventing its passage.Read More

Parliamentary Branch
Each government department has a Parliamentary Branch. The Branch is charged with managing the department's relations with the House of Commons and the House of Lords.Read More

Parliamentary Private Secretaries
Often referred to as a Minister's 'eyes and ears in Parliament', or as a simple 'bag carrier', the Parliamentary Private Secretary supports a particular government minister in his or her duties. It is the first rung on the ministerial ladder for a backbench MP.Read More

Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru (the Party of Wales) is a Welsh Nationalist party that sits on the left of the political spectrum. The party is far less of an electoral force than its Scottish counterpart, polling around 10% of the Welsh vote in recent General Elections.Read More

Politically Exposed Person
An overview of the political exposed person regime in the UK? Who is a politically exposed person, what are the additional financial requirements they face?Read More

Pre-legislative Scrutiny
Draft Bills are normally subjected to pre-legislative scrutiny at the hands of a joint-committee of MPs and peers formed for that purpose.Read More

Pressure Groups
A Pressure Group is an organised group united in the promotion of a common cause, with the aim of influencing government policy. The former Home Secretary, Douglas Hurd, once famously described Pressure Groups as ‘serpents that strangle efficient government’.Read More

Primary Legislation
Primary legislation (Bills and Acts) is split into two categories - Public Bills and Private Bills (with Hybrid Bills in a sub-category between the two).Read More

Prime Minister
The leader of the largest party in the House of Commons is by convention asked by the Monarch to be Prime Minister and to form a government in a ceremony known anachronistically as the 'kissing of the hands. The Prime Minister has a wide range of direct powers.Read More