Buzzwords, jargon and obscure Parliamentary language are the norm when it comes to politics. Here’s a quick guide to the more common words and phrases you may come across.
Ballot box
This is where you put your ballot paper when you go to the polling station and vote in an election.
Ballot paper
This is the paper given to you in the polling station which you use to choose the candidate you want to be elected.
By-election
An election fought in just one constituency where the vacancy for an MP has arisen.
Candidates
The people competing for your vote. The person with most votes becomes your MP.
Coalition
A coalition is when two or more political parties join together to form the government. This can happen in the case of a hung parliament.
The Conservative Party
The Conservative Party is one of the three leading political parties in the Westminster Parliament and is currently led by the Prime Minister, David Cameron MP.
Constituency
The local area where you vote. There are 650 constituencies throughout the UK and you’ll get to vote in the General Election for the MP who will represent yours.
Constituent
A resident of a constituency represented by an MP.
Devolved bodies
The Westminster Parliament has devolved power to the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly. These bodies can make legislation in certain policy areas, such as environment and business.
European election
Elections to the European Parliament.
European Parliament
The directly elected democratic Parliament of Europe. All the countries that belong to the European Union are entitled to send representatives to the Parliament.
General Election
The day, every four to five years, when candidates are elected to become MPs in every constituency in the country.
House of Commons Chamber
The main chamber in the Commons where MPs discuss and vote on important issues of the day.
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the UK Parliament’s second chamber. It complements the work of the Commons, making laws, holding the Government to account and analysing policy issues.
House of Lords Chamber
The main Chamber in the House of Lords where Members of the Lords discuss and vote on important issues of the day.
Hung Parliament
A hung parliament describes the situation when no single political party wins a majority of seats in the General Election so there is no clear winner.
The Labour Party
The Labour Party is one of the three leading political parties in the Westminster Parliament and is currently led by the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Milliband MP.
Legislation
Legislation, or law, is created by Parliament, when a Bill successfully passes through a number of Parliamentary stages and becomes an Act of Parliament.
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrat Party is one of the three leading political parties in the Westminster Parliament and is currently led by the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP.
Local election
Elections held to choose local councillors who represent you in your local government offices.
Manifesto
A booklet created by a political party to outline their key policies.
MEP
A Member of the European Parliament.
Member of Parliament
One of the people elected to the House of Commons. Each one represents a constituency and nearly all of them belong to a political party.
Members of the Lords
There are around 750 members of the Lords including elected hereditary Peers, life Peers and bishops. They are appointed by the Crown rather than elected by the pubic and are unpaid. They have a wide range of professional experience and specialist knowledge, providing a source of independent expertise.
MP
Short for Member of Parliament.
The Opposition
MPs from parties that are not part of the governing party. They make the Government explain its actions and are responsible for providing the people with alternatives to government policies. The second largest party has a special role as the Official Opposition and receives privileges to enable it to hold the Government to account.
Parliament
The Westminster Parliament is made up of three parts - the Crown, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Parliament is where new laws are debated and agreed to the UK. Parliament has also devolved power to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly. These bodies can make legislation in certain areas, such as environment and business.
Policy
A plan of action on how a certain party intends to deal with an issue, such as unemployment or education.
Political party
MPs are usually members of political parties that reflect their broad views. The three leading political parties in the Westminster Parliament are the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. See our full listing of political parties represented in Parliament.
Poll card
A card sent to you before an election to tell you where and when you can vote.
Polling booth
The place in a polling station where you cast your vote, such as marking an X beside your preferred candidate in a General Election. Voting inside the booth helps keep your vote private.
Polling station
The place where you go to cast your vote at an election. Your polling station is often in a nearby school or community centre.
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is the head of the Government. He or she is the leader of the party that wins the most seats at a General Election.
Surgeries
Many MPs hold a surgery once a week to give people in their constituency an opportunity to meet them. Constituents can often arrange to visit an MP's office to discuss matters that concern them.