House of Commons

• How many members are in the House of Commons?

  650 members
• How many members are in the House of Lords?

  785 members
• What is a parliamentary session?

  A period during which a parliament or legislative body meets to conduct its business
• What can impact the length of a parliamentary session?

  • Law
  • Elections
  • politics
  • Brexit
• Statistics 


  >There has been a reduction in the number of sitting days

  >Fewer sittings after 10 pm

  >Sessions immediately after an election tend to be longer
• What is Dissolution?


  The end of parliament before an election
• Constituencies

  Geographic areas within a country from which members of legislature are elected
• How many constituencies does the UK have?

  650
• What is a safe seat?

  A safe seat is a constituency where a political party has a strong majority and is almost guaranteed to win in an election.
• General election

  A general election is called by the Prime Minister, following the dissolution of parliament under prerogative powers
• Acts

  >Electoral Administration Act 2006 - Uk and certain commonwealth citizens over 18 may stand for election

  >House of Commons Disqualification Act - Disqualifies many judges, civil servants, members of armed forces and police

  >Forfeiture Act 1870 - Conviction for treason disqualifies

  >Insolvency Act 1986 - May not stand if bankrupt
• R (oa woods) v Parliamentary Election court

  • Election was void
  • Speaker was guilty of an illegal practice
  • Statements were false
• What is a referendum?


  A referendum is a direct vote in which the entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal or issue.
• Referendums in case law ; R v (Miller) SSEEU 2016


  Led to the conclusion that referendums on any topic can only be advisory for the law makers in parliament
• R v (Miller) SSEEU 2017


  'The change in the law must be made in the only way in which the UK constitution permits'