Reference
Debates on Substantive Motions
Debates in the House take place on a motion to which amendments may be tabled. The motion for a debate appears on the Order Paper as does the text of any amendment. The Speaker selects which amendment will be debated. A substantive motion allows for a division to take place, if necessary, to demonstrate the...Read More
Debates (Commons)
Most debates in Government time and on Opposition Days are on a substantive motion, while private members' business tends to be on motions for the adjournment. The Government has been known to use a motion for the adjournment to avoid a vote.Read More
Deferred divisions
If a division is called later than 10pm then it is deferred. This means that instead of the vote taking place immediately, MPs will be able to vote during a set period at a later date. This is normally on the following Wednesday afternoon. MPs vote by appearing in person at a specified place and...Read More
Democratic Unionist party
The Democratic Unionist party (DUP) has recovered from a period of scandal as it continues its cautious powersharing arrangement with Sinn Fein. The sexual and financial allegations faced by leader Peter Robinson's wife Iris Robinson threatened to leave a deep-seated trauma on the DUP in early 2010. But Robinson's decision to temporarily stand down from...Read More
Debates (Scotland)
Debates in the Scottish parliament are on a motion tabled by a minister or other MSP. In most debates, most parties will table at least one amendment to the motion to reflect their views. Debates allow the parliament to deliberate on pertinent issues that affect Scotland or Scottish people. A spokesperson is called from each...Read More
Draft Bill
A draft Bill is a preliminary form of a Bill. It may contain all or only parts of the Bill the Government wishes to introduce. Draft Bills are normally considered by a joint committee of MPs and peers set up for this purpose, which reports after taking evidence from interested groups. The Government does not...Read More
Departments
Each Secretary of State, leading a team of Ministers, has responsibility for a Government Department, the responsibilities of which are determined by the Prime Minister. Departments headed by Ministers are known as 'Ministerial Departments,' differentiating them from Non-ministerial Departments such as Ordnance Survey or the Inland Revenue.Read More
Debates (Wales)
Debates in the Welsh Assembly are on a motion tabled either by a Minister or by a back-bench AM. In most debates, most parties will table at least one amendment to the motion to reflect their views. Debates allow the Assembly to deliberate on pertinent issues that affect Wales or Welsh people. A spokesperson from...Read More
Dominic Raab
Dominic Raab, Conservative MP for Esher & WaltonRead More
David Simpson
David Simpson, DUP MP for Upper Bann Read More
David Heyes
David Heyes, Labour MP for Ashton Under Lyne - politics.co.ukRead More
David Winnick
David Winnick, Labour MP for Walsall NorthRead More
Daniel Poulter
Daniel Poulter, Conservative MP for Suffolk Central and Ipswich NorthRead More
David Cameron
David Cameron, Conservative MP for WitneyRead More
David Willetts
Havant, ConservativeRead More
David Nuttall
David Nuttall, Conservative MP for Bury North Read More
David Jones
David Jones, Conservative MP for Clwyd WestRead More
David Lidington
David Lidington, Conservative MP for Aylesbury Read More
Dave Watts
Dave Watts, MP for St Helens North, Labour Read More