Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Reasoned Amendment
An amendment that sets out reasons for opposing a bill, often at Second Reading.
Recall of MPs Act 2015
The Act setting out when a recall petition can be opened for an MP.
Recall of the House
An arrangement for the House of Commons to meet during a recess in exceptional circumstances.
Recall Petition
A process that can lead to an MP losing their seat and a by-election being held.
Recess
A break during a parliamentary session when the Houses do not meet to conduct business.
Rectification
A process used to resolve less serious breaches of the Commons standards rules.
Register of All-Party Parliamentary Groups
The authoritative list of All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
Register of Consultant Lobbyists
The statutory register for consultant lobbyists lobbying UK Government ministers or permanent secretaries on behalf of clients.
Register of Members’ Financial Interests
The public register showing MPs’ relevant financial interests and benefits.
Registered Political Party
A political party registered to use a party name or description on ballot papers.
Registered Voter
A person whose name appears on the electoral register and who can vote if they meet the relevant rules.
Registrable Interest
An interest that an MP is required to place in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.
Registrar of Members’ Financial Interests
The official who gives advice on the MPs’ register and supports the registration of Members’ interests.
Relevant Interest
An interest that might reasonably be thought to influence an MP’s actions or words.
Remaining Orders
Commons business that has not yet been scheduled for a specific date.
Report Stage
The stage after committee scrutiny when the whole House can consider and vote on further amendments.
Research Briefing
An impartial parliamentary research publication explaining an issue, bill, debate or policy area.
Reserved Matter
A policy area that remains the responsibility of the UK Parliament and UK Government under a devolution settlement.
Retail Prices Index
Abbreviation: RPI
An older measure of inflation that is still used in some contracts and uprating calculations.
Return of the House
The date on which a House resumes sitting after a recess or other break.
Returning Officer
Abbreviation: RO
The official responsible for running an election in a local area.
Review Clause
A provision requiring a law or power to be reviewed after a certain period or in certain circumstances.
Rising of the House
The point at which a House finishes its business and adjourns.
Royal Assent
The formal approval required for a bill to become an Act of Parliament.
Royal Prerogative
Executive powers that historically belong to the Crown and are now usually exercised by ministers.