Parliament UK FAQ

Answers to your most common questions about Parliament UK.

Quick, simple, and helpful information at a glance.

What is parliament?
Parliament is a legislative body where elected officials gather to make laws and decisions for a country or state.
What is the role of parliament?
The role of parliament is to represent the citizens of a country or state and create laws and policies that benefit them.
How often does parliament meet?
The frequency of parliament meetings can vary depending on the country or state, but it is usually several times a week.
What is a quorum in parliament?
A quorum refers to the minimum number of members required to be present in order for parliament to conduct its business.
What is a majority in parliament?
A majority in parliament refers to more than half of the members needed to pass a decision or vote on a certain issue.
What is a motion in parliament?
A motion is a proposal made by a member of parliament for a certain action to be taken by the legislature.
What is a bill in parliament?
A bill is a proposed law that is introduced and debated in parliament before it can become a a law.
What is a vote of no confidence in parliament?
A vote of no confidence is a parliamentary procedure where members vote on whether they have confidence in the current government and its leadership.
Why does parliament sometimes experience delays in passing legislation?
Delays in passing legislation can happen due to a variety of factors, such as lengthy debates, disagreements among members, or technical issues.
What is an error message in parliament?
An error message in parliament can refer to a technical error or glitch that occurs during a parliamentary session or the failure of a motion or bill to pass.
Why does parliament have a dress code?
Parliament typically has a dress code to maintain a level of formality and decorum during debates and meetings.
What is a point of order in parliament?
A point of order is a procedural request or objection raised by a member of parliament regarding a rule or procedure being violated.
What is a division in parliament?
A division is a parliamentary voting method where members physically divide into groups (e.g. ayes and noes) to indicate their support or opposition to a motion or bill.
Why does parliament have different chambers?
Some parliaments have different chambers (such as the House of Commons and House of Lords in the UK) in order to have a system of checks and balances and to ensure a fair representation of different perspectives.
How are committee members selected in parliament?
Committee members are typically chosen by their respective party leaders or by a nomination process within the parliament.
Why do some parliamentarians have specific titles, such as "Speaker" or "Leader of the Opposition"?
These titles are given to certain members who are responsible for specific roles and tasks within parliament, such as presiding over meetings or representing the opposing party.
What happens during a recess in parliament?
A recess is a break in parliamentary activity, typically used to conduct research, meet with constituents, or attend to other government duties.
What is a filibuster in parliament?
A filibuster is a tactic used by members to extend a debate or delay a vote on a bill by speaking for an extended period of time.
How are parliamentary debates structured?
Parliamentary debates typically have a set structure, where members take turns speaking and are given a specific amount of time to present their arguments.
What is a whip in parliament?
A whip is a member of parliament who is responsible for ensuring that their party's members vote as expected on specific issues.
Why do members of parliament sometimes switch parties?
Members may switch parties due to personal beliefs or values not aligning with their current party, or for strategic reasons such as gaining more influence within a different party.
What is a point of privilege in parliament?
A point of privilege is a procedural matter raised by a member that may affect their rights, dignity, or reputation in parliament.
How are parliamentary records kept?
Parliamentary records are typically kept in official journals or transcripts of debates and meetings.
What is a by-election in parliament?
A by-election is an election held to fill a vacant seat in parliament, either due to a member's resignation, death, or disqualification.
Why is it important for the public to have access to parliamentary proceedings?
Having access to parliamentary proceedings allows the public to stay informed about government decisions and hold their elected representatives accountable for their actions.
What is a hung parliament?
A hung parliament refers to a situation where no party or coalition has a clear majority in the legislature, making it difficult to pass legislation or form a stable government.
What is the difference between a proportional and winner-takes-all voting system in parliament?
A proportional voting system allocates seats based on the proportion of votes received by each party, while a winner-takes-all voting system gives all seats to the party that wins the majority of votes.