Guides

Government consultations are sounding exercises on the possibility of a government policy or a change in policy.Read More

The aim of the 2015 Consumer Rights Act is designed to aid both consumers and retailers in understanding their rights and responsibilities, and thus to reduce and simplify disputes. It also seeks to encourage business based on fair practices and access to information.Read More

The Data Protection Act 2018 manages how data is accessed and managed. The 2018 Act addresses how data is managed online, not least in light of the substantial digital advances that have occurred since the passing of the original 1998 Act.Read More

Debates in the House of Lords take place on a motion to call attention to an issue. They can also take place on an 'unstarred question', for which the procedure is broadly similar.Read More

The Democratic Unionist Party is now the leading unionist party, and the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The DUP was founded in 1971 by the Reverend Ian Paisley, a preacher at the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. It is currently led by Jeffrey Donaldson.Read More

With Sir Lindsay Hoyle just one of three Labour MPs at the time not to have revealed how they voted on Brexit, we consider the Speaker's past approach towards the EU.Read More

Division is the name given to a vote by MPs in the House of Commons. After the Division Bell starts ringing, MPs have eight minutes to arrive in one of the two lobbies that run alongside the Commons Chamber, before the entrances to these two division lobbies are locked.Read More

A draft Bill is a preliminary form of a Bill. It may contain all or only parts of the Bill the Government wishes to introduce.Read More

Early Day Motions (universally known in Parliament as 'EDMs') are best thought of as petitions put forward by MPs on specific subjects. Other MPs are then invited to add their names in support.Read More

Despite talk of a 'youthquake', UK voter turnout in 2019 was only 47% amongst those aged 18-24 compared to 74% amongst those aged over 65. Whilst in Bolivia, non voters can be denied from withdrawing their salary from the bank for three months.Read More

An overview on the process governing elections to the House of Commons. Who can vote, who can stand for election, how much can candidates spend, and what are the rules around televised election broadcasts.Read More

An overview of how Members of Parliament are elected, how elections and by-elections are called, and how the constituency system works.Read More

The 1996 Employment Rights Act is the dominant piece of legislation that lays out the rights of workers in the United Kingdom. Read More

The 2010 Equality Act unites a range of anti-discrimination legislation and compounds it into a single, comprehensive law. It is the dominant piece of equality legislation in the United Kingdom. Read More

Executive Agencies now account for the majority of civil servants employed. Ministers set targets for Executive agencies, whose spending appears on the balance sheet of the sponsoring government department.Read More

The introduction (also known as the presentation or bringing in) of a Bill into the House of Commons takes the form of its formal First Reading. There is no debate at this stage. Read More

Under the FOI Act, a public authority is required to make certain information available. The Act was intended to increase transparency and improve public trust. Rather ironically, the most famous Freedom of Information request, is the one that led to the 2009 MPs' expenses scandal.Read More

A profile of ex footballer turned political commentator, Gary Neville. What does Neville believe in, what are some of his most notable political soundbites, and is he now destined to become a Labour MP?Read More

An overview of what the term generation rent is meant to mean, the political debate, and the problems that young people face in getting on the housing ladder.Read More