Dissolution of Parliament - Project Open Gov

The formal end of a Parliament before a general election.

Category: Devolution and constitution Parliament and elections

Also used as: dissolution, dissolving Parliament, Parliament dissolved

Source / explainer: Browse the UK Parliament glossary

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026

Dissolution of Parliament is the formal end of a Parliament before a general election. Once Parliament is dissolved, MPs cease to be MPs, parliamentary business stops and a general election campaign begins. It is different from prorogation, which ends only a session.

Related terms

General ElectionAn election in which voters choose MPs for all House of Commons constituencies.Member of ParliamentAn elected representative who sits in the House of Commons.ProrogationThe formal end of a parliamentary session.State Opening of ParliamentThe formal ceremony that marks the start of a parliamentary session.UK ParliamentThe institution made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Crown.