A briefing paper on the office and functions of the Prime Minister

A briefing paper on the office and functions of the Prime Minister

A list of all UK General elections dates since 1832.

A list of all UK General elections dates since 1832.

Election rules include a timetable that must be followed. This briefing explains what is in the timetables and how long they run.

Election rules include a timetable that must be followed. This briefing explains what is in the timetables and how long they run.

Public resources cannot be used for party political campaigning at any time. At elections ministers will normally observe discretion over announcements or decisions that could influence voters.

Public resources cannot be used for party political campaigning at any time. At elections ministers will normally observe discretion over announcements or decisions that could influence voters.

Polling day for UK elections is usually Thursday and cannot be held at a weekend. Weekend voting pilots are being held in four areas in local elections in May 2026.

Polling day for UK elections is usually Thursday and cannot be held at a weekend. Weekend voting pilots are being held in four areas in local elections in May 2026.

The UK Government has authorised pilot schemes to take place at local elections in England in May 2026. These will test new ways of polling station voting.

The UK Government has authorised pilot schemes to take place at local elections in England in May 2026. These will test new ways of polling station voting.

There will be a Westminster Hall debate on 2 March 2026 on an e-petition calling for members of the public to be given the right to vote no confidence in the government. The debate will be opened by John Lamont MP. The Petitions Committee agreed to the debate in response to e-petition 734311 that attracted over 120,000 signatures.

There will be a Westminster Hall debate on 2 March 2026 on an e-petition calling for members of the public to be given the right to vote no confidence in the government. The debate will be opened by John Lamont MP. The Petitions Committee agreed to the debate in response...

There will be a Westminster Hall debate on 12 January 2026 on an e-petition calling for a new general election. The debate will be opened by John Lamont MP. The Petitions Committee agreed to the debate in response to e-petition 727309 that attracted over 1 million signatures.

There will be a Westminster Hall debate on 12 January 2026 on an e-petition calling for a new general election. The debate will be opened by John Lamont MP. The Petitions Committee agreed to the debate in response to e-petition 727309 that attracted over 1 million signatures.

A research briefing examining recent developments in relation to the law concerning the dissolution of Parliament

A research briefing examining recent developments in relation to the law concerning the dissolution of Parliament

There will be a Westminster Hall debate on 6 January 2025 on an e-petition calling for a new general election. The debate will be opened by Jamie Stone MP. The Petitions Committee agreed to the debate in response to e-petition 700143 that attracted over 2.9 million signatures.

There will be a Westminster Hall debate on 6 January 2025 on an e-petition calling for a new general election. The debate will be opened by Jamie Stone MP. The Petitions Committee agreed to the debate in response to e-petition 700143 that attracted over 2.9 million signatures.

A general election will take place on 4 July 2024. Before Parliament dissolves, a short 'wash-up period' allows the government to pass some legislation that is still in progress, subject to agreements with the opposition.

A general election will take place on 4 July 2024. Before Parliament dissolves, a short 'wash-up period' allows the government to pass some legislation that is still in progress, subject to agreements with the opposition.

With permission, I will make a short business statement.

Following the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, I am sure the House will understand that discussions continue on the business ahead of the Dissolution of this Parliament. With that in mind, tomorrow’s business will include consideration of a...

With permission, I will make a short business statement.

Following the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, I am sure the House will understand that discussions continue on the business ahead of the Dissolution of this Parliament. With that in mind, tomorrow’s business will include consideration of a...

I thank the Leader of the House for that emergency business statement—I think many across the country will thank her too, although I am not sure many on the Government Benches will—that Parliament will be dissolved for a general election. The country has been crying out for change, and this...

I thank the Leader of the House for that emergency business statement—I think many across the country will thank her too, although I am not sure many on the Government Benches will—that Parliament will be dissolved for a general election. The country has been crying out for change, and this...

As the shadow Leader of the House will know, discussions are ongoing through the usual channels. I thank her for her offer of help on these important Bills. Certainly, we would like our legislative programme to get through and if the Opposition were minded to assist us on those important...

As the shadow Leader of the House will know, discussions are ongoing through the usual channels. I thank her for her offer of help on these important Bills. Certainly, we would like our legislative programme to get through and if the Opposition were minded to assist us on those important...

Other than providing time for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill—she knows that matters greatly to me and that there is widespread support for it across the House, including from both Front Benches—does the Leader of the House plan to allow time for Members who are retiring from the House to...

Other than providing time for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill—she knows that matters greatly to me and that there is widespread support for it across the House, including from both Front Benches—does the Leader of the House plan to allow time for Members who are retiring from the House to...

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that matter as it will be a concern to many Members on all sides of the House. The usual channels are aware of hon. Members’ wish to do that and I hope to be able to update the House tomorrow.

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that matter as it will be a concern to many Members on all sides of the House. The usual channels are aware of hon. Members’ wish to do that and I hope to be able to update the House tomorrow.

Announcement of the change in the Business of the House on 23 and 24 May 2024 ahead of Dissolution following an announcement of a General Election on 4th July 2024.

Announcement of the change in the Business of the House on 23 and 24 May 2024 ahead of Dissolution following an announcement of a General Election on 4th July 2024.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, this SI forms part of the Government’s ambitious programme to deliver a smarter regulatory framework for financial services and to replace areas of assimilated law, formerly known as retained EU law, in financial services with an approach to regulation that is tailored to the UK. That includes the...

My Lords, this SI forms part of the Government’s ambitious programme to deliver a smarter regulatory framework for financial services and to replace areas of assimilated law, formerly known as retained EU law, in financial services with an approach to regulation that is tailored to the UK. That includes the...

My Lords, we welcome this SI and will support it today. Its provisions are clearly necessary and are mostly explained clearly in the accompanying documentation. I would be grateful, however, if the Minister could say a few words about commencement and address a few questions.

Two provisions seem to come into...

My Lords, we welcome this SI and will support it today. Its provisions are clearly necessary and are mostly explained clearly in the accompanying documentation. I would be grateful, however, if the Minister could say a few words about commencement and address a few questions.

Two provisions seem to come into...