Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Boundary Review
A review of parliamentary constituency boundaries.
Chiltern Hundreds
A Crown office used as a formal device allowing an MP to leave the House of Commons.
Confidence Motion
A motion used to test whether the government still has the support of the House of Commons.
Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010
Abbreviation: CRAG
The Act that sets out, among other things, a statutory process for parliamentary scrutiny of treaties before ratification.
Contempt of Parliament
Conduct that may obstruct or impede either House, its Members or its officers in their parliamentary work.
Devolution
The transfer of powers from the UK Parliament to institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Devolved Administration
A government in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland with powers transferred from Westminster.
Devolved Matter
A policy area where responsibility has been transferred to a devolved institution.
Dissolution of Parliament
The formal end of a Parliament before a general election.
European Convention on Human Rights
Abbreviation: ECHR
An international human rights treaty setting out rights and freedoms protected across member states of the Council of Europe.
Executive Office
Abbreviation: TEO
A Northern Ireland Executive department supporting the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
House of Commons
Abbreviation: Commons
The elected chamber of the UK Parliament, made up of Members of Parliament.
House of Lords
Abbreviation: Lords
The unelected second chamber of the UK Parliament, which scrutinises bills and government policy.
International Agreements Committee
Abbreviation: IAC
A House of Lords committee that scrutinises treaties and international agreements.
Joint Committee on Human Rights
Abbreviation: JCHR
A committee of MPs and peers that examines legislation and policy for compatibility with human rights standards.
King’s Speech
The speech at the State Opening of Parliament setting out the government’s planned legislative programme.
Legislative Consent Motion
Abbreviation: LCM
A motion by a devolved legislature giving or withholding consent to Westminster legislating in a devolved area.
Manor of Northstead
A Crown office used as a formal device allowing an MP to leave the House of Commons.
Ministerial Code
The Prime Minister’s code setting out standards and guidance for government ministers.
Northern Ireland Assembly
The devolved legislature for Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Office
Abbreviation: NIO
The UK Government department responsible for Northern Ireland matters that are reserved to the UK Government.
Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
Abbreviation: Scotland Office
The UK Government department representing Scotland’s interests in the UK Government and reserved UK matters in Scotland.
Office of the Secretary of State for Wales
Abbreviation: Wales Office
The UK Government department representing Wales’s interests in the UK Government and reserved UK matters in Wales.
Order in Council
A type of legal instrument formally made through the Privy Council.
Parliamentary Privilege
The rights and protections Parliament needs to carry out its work effectively.
Privy Council
A formal body that advises the monarch and handles certain constitutional and legal functions.
Prorogation
The formal end of a parliamentary session.
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Abbreviation: PACAC
A Commons select committee that scrutinises constitutional issues and public administration.
Recall of MPs Act 2015
The Act setting out when a recall petition can be opened for an MP.
Reserved Matter
A policy area that remains the responsibility of the UK Parliament and UK Government under a devolution settlement.
Royal Prerogative
Executive powers that historically belong to the Crown and are now usually exercised by ministers.
Scottish Government
The devolved government for Scotland.
Scottish Parliament
The devolved legislature for Scotland.
Senedd Cymru
Abbreviation: Senedd
The devolved legislature for Wales.
Seven Principles of Public Life
The ethical principles for public office holders, also known as the Nolan Principles.
Sewel Convention
A constitutional convention about Westminster legislating on devolved matters.
State Opening of Parliament
The formal ceremony that marks the start of a parliamentary session.
Treaty
A formal international agreement between states or international organisations.
Treaty Scrutiny
Parliamentary examination of treaties before the UK Government ratifies them.
Treaty Tracker
The UK Parliament service for finding treaties laid before Parliament.
UK Parliament
The institution made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Crown.
Welsh Government
The devolved government for Wales.