How Parliament works

Parliament's role
What Parliament does, its role in UK politics, and relationship with Government, the Crown and Europe.

Quick guides to Parliament
Find out what happens at Parliament, how your MP represents you and how Parliament checks up on the work of Government with our quick guides.

MPs and Lords
Find out what MPs and Lords do, how they are elected and how you can contact them.

Elections
This section explains the different types of parliamentary elections and the constituency system.

Daily business
What happens in Parliament on a regular basis, including Question Time, Ministerial Statements and Early Day Motions.

Making laws
Find out the difference between Bills and Acts, types of Bills and what stages they go through to become law.

Committees
Explanation of the main types of committees: Select, Joint and General.

Parliamentary occasions
Key business and ceremonial events - both regular and occasional - punctuate the parliamentary year.

Principal Officers and staff
Learn more about the main people in Parliament: including the Speaker, the Lord Speaker, and Government and Opposition roles.

Publications
Descriptions and explanations of the different types of parliamentary publications.