Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Dissolution of Parliament
The formal end of a Parliament before a general election.
Electoral Commission
Abbreviation: Electoral Commission
The independent body overseeing elections and regulating political finance in the UK.
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.
King’s Speech
The speech at the State Opening of Parliament setting out the government’s planned legislative programme.
Member of Parliament
Abbreviation: MP
An elected representative who sits in the House of Commons.
Northern Ireland Assembly
The devolved legislature for Northern Ireland.
Order in Council
A type of legal instrument formally made through the Privy Council.
Peer
A member of the House of Lords.
Petition
A formal request asking Parliament or one of its Houses to take action or consider an issue.
Petitioner
A person or body that submits a petition to Parliament.
Prime Minister
Abbreviation: PM
The head of the UK Government.
Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Abbreviation: No. 10
The office supporting the Prime Minister and issuing official statements from 10 Downing Street.
Privy Council
A formal body that advises the monarch and handles certain constitutional and legal functions.
Prorogation
The formal end of a parliamentary session.
Royal Prerogative
Executive powers that historically belong to the Crown and are now usually exercised by ministers.
Scottish Parliament
The devolved legislature for Scotland.
Senedd Cymru
Abbreviation: Senedd
The devolved legislature for Wales.