Parliament Key terms

An Mp who doesn't have a shadow ministerial or ministerial role.

They commonly sit on the back benches in House of commons.

An Mp who has a ministerial or shadow ministerial role.

They commonly sit on the front benches in the House of commons.

A bill that's proposed by an Mp who isn't a member of government. These ussually occur through an annual ballot.

The leading representative of the state,who personally embodies the state's power and authority.

A division in which Mps vote against their party whip.

A legislative proposal that has completed the legislative process and entered in to law.

A government document setting out various options for legislation and inviting comment.

A bill concerning a general issue of public body,introduced by a government minister.

A government document setting out a detailed proposal for legislation.

A member of the House of Lords.

A vote in parliament.

A party official responsible for ensuring that Mps turn up to parliamentary votes and follow party instructions on how to vote. It can also be defined as an instruction to vote that is issued to Mps by political parties.

A parliamentary motion of which, if passed,requires the resignation of the government and dissolution of parliament.

The branch of government responsible for passing laws.

An assembly that has the power to debate and make laws.

Examining something in a close or detailed way.