Guides

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) is the newest of the unionist political parties. It was formed in 2007 by members of the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) who split from the DUP in protest at its decision to enter into the Northern Irish power sharing executive with Sinn Fein. The TUV says it stands for those who...Read More

The Third Reading debate provides an opportunity for final comment on a Bill. Normally only those MPs who have been active in previous stages will speak. Due to programming, debates on Third Reading tend to come immediately after Report Stage and to last only one hour. After Third Reading, if the Bill started in the...Read More

1951: The Treaty of Paris is signed, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), including Belgium, West Germany, France, Luxembourg, Italy and the Netherlands. The Treaty came into force in 1952, and expired in 2002. 1957: The Treaties of Rome are signed – one establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) and one establishing...Read More

European union has been promoted since 1951 by means of a series of treaties – agreements with the force of law reached between member states. The Treaty of Paris of 1951 established the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which comprised Belgium, West Germany, France, Luxembourg, Italy and the Netherlands. The Treaties of Rome of...Read More

This stage is normally at least three days after report and may last one or two days. Until Third Reading, the stages in the Commons and the Lords are broadly comparable. Whereas in the Lower House, the Third Reading is a debate looking back at the Bill’s progress and forward to its implementation, in the...Read More