Guides

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 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

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

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

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

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

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 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

The majority of proposals are nodded through in the ways outlined above, or agreement can be reached at the council level without the need for matters to go to a vote. However, if agreement cannot be reached, the treaties provide for disagreements to be resolved by votes of the ministers present. There are three procedures...Read More

Debates in the House take place on a motion to call attention to an issue. They can also take place on an 'unstarred question', for which the procedure is broadly similar. Unstarred questions are so called because they appear on the order paper without a star, as distinct from the 'starred questions' which receive brief...Read More