House of Commons should not be big enough to contain all its members at once without overcrowding, and there should be no question of every member having a separate seat History of reserved for him. If the House is big enough for all its members, nine-tenths of its debates will be conducted in the depressing atmosphere of an almost empty or half-empty the House Chamber.…[T]here should be on great occasions a sense of crowd and urgency”. Thankfully, Churchill did not remove vital features like the two sets of red lines on the Chamber floor, which are greater than two sword lengths apart so that opposing members can not practically engage in a mid-debate duel, should disagreements boil over. The cloakroom of the Commons additionally has velvet loops in which to place one’s sword, should one feel so inclined. In 2020, as it has been for decades, the House of Commons is the place of lawmaking in Great Britain. The Lords seldom intervene in the legislative process, and the Crown automatically applies the Royal Assent to bills passed. It has been so since 1707 when Queen Anne rejected a bill which would re-arm the Scottish Militia. At this time, the French invaders were closing in, and Anne feared the Scots might be disloyal. Her veto wasn’t controversial. Go figure. Lawmaking, therefore, is the sovereign right of the Commons, and Parliamentary sovereignty is perhaps the most fundamental component of the British Political Tradition, until you start The House of Commons as we know it questioning this tradition analytically and getting a bit flustered at the sheer post-foundationalism of it all. The majority government of the day tends to produce all today is the result of almost 1,000 legislation, usually drawn from its manifesto on which it fought and won the previous election. There are mechanisms for non-government members to make law however: any member can years of history. produce a Private Member’s Bill. For these, debate time is managed by drawing ballots. It’s good fun, and we’ll be having a go at it. In 1295, in need of money to finance his wars in Scotland and France, King Edward I called a meeting of representatives from every shire and town in England to discuss tax. (He did so in Each new Parliamentary session brings the election of a Speaker to the House. The House French, this being Norman times.) These representatives included not only bishops, earls, and selects the Speaker from its membership, and that person goes on to preside over debates, barons but also commoners - making this the first representative parliament in Britain’s ruling on points of order and managing the conduct of Members. The Speaker is politically history, the members of which were able to air their grievances to the King. In all honesty, he neutral, and exists to moderate debate. The legislative programme of the Chamber is was only interested in their money. A deal was reached, requiring people to pay a 15% tax on determined by the Leader of the House of Commons, appointed by the Government. The all their movable property. The latter groups of representatives (the Commons) were then voting of individual Members is policed by their party’s ‘whips’, who enforce party discipline sent home to sell this idea to their local communities, while those with land and wealth got on and make sure Members vote with the party. with the important things like lawmaking, and deciding which jouster had the best thighs, Bills must be read three times in both the Commons and Lords before they can be voted on, to probably. After this time, whenever the King needed money, he simply called another ensure proper time has elapsed for detailed reading. parliament. 1430 saw an Act of Parliament divide the voting districts into counties and boroughs. Citizens lucky enough to be male and own property worth 40 shillings could vote in One of the most publicly visible and internationally infamous practices of the Commons is their constituencies. Prime Minister’s Questions. This is held weekly, and allows Members to ask questions of the Prime Minister. This is a key driver of accountability. Every governmental department can be Henry VIII really got things going during the English Reformation, where in 1547 he gave questioned in this way, for example ‘Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales’ tends to be permission for members of the commons to meet in the Palace of Westminster. The House of held before Prime Minister’s Questions. Lords was originally the more powerful of the two chambers, however its powers decreased over the centuries to a position where, in the late 1600s the Commons had the sole right to Every Parliamentary session is opened by the Monarch. The King or Queen arrives at the decide on taxation measures. These days, in practice, the Lords do not stand in the way of the House of Lords, instructs their messenger ‘Black Rod’ to go and fetch the Members of the Commons, their power is symbolic. House of Commons, and then something a little bit strange happens. Black Rod strides across the Palace of Westminster to the Commons, before having the door to the Chamber slammed By 1801, there were 658 members of the House of Commons. When Ireland was annexed by shut in their face, to demonstrate the independence of the Commons and their authority. Great Britain in 1885, this increased to 670. In 1918, this increased further to a possibly quite After knocking three times with their staff, Black Rod is allowed to enter, to a very loud uncomfortable 707. Today, 650 members are returned to the House, one per constituency, announcement of ‘Black Rod!’ by a Commons official. Black Rod instructs the Commons to despite the chamber seating only 427. This discrepancy between seat supply and demand was attend an audience with the Monarch in ‘the House of Peers’ (the Lords). Members of almost rectified when the chamber of the Commons was bombed by the Germans during Parliament filter into the House of Lords where the Queen reads out the speech prepared for World War II. Winston Churchill argued against enlarging the Commons, because with an her by the new Government, outlining her Government's plans for that Parliamentary session. expert understanding of psychology he ruled that: “A chamber formed on the lines of the It’s all jolly good fun. HouseHouse of Commons of Commons should should not benot big be enough big enough to contain to contain all its all members its members at once at once without without overcrowding,overcrowding, and andthere there should should be no be question no question of every of every member member having having a separate a separate seat seat History of reserved reserved for him. for him. If the If Housethe House is big is enough big enough for all for its all members, its members, nine-tenths nine-tenths of its of debates its debates will will be conductedbe conducted in the in depressingthe depressing atmosphere atmosphere of an of almost an almost empty empty or half-empty or half-empty the House Chamber.…[T]hereChamber.…[T]here should should be on be great on great occasions occasions a sense a sense of crowd of crowd and andurgency”. urgency”. Thankfully,Thankfully, Churchill Churchill did notdid removenot remove vital vitalfeatures features like thelike twothe twosets setsof red of linesred lines on the on the ChamberChamber floor, floor, which which are greaterare greater than than two twosword sword lengths lengths apart apart so that so thatopposing opposing members members can notcan practicallynot practically engage engage in a mid-debatein a mid-debate duel, duel, should should disagreements disagreements boil boilover. over. The The cloakroomcloakroom of the of Commonsthe Commons additionally additionally has velvethas velvet loops loops in which in which to place to place one’s one’s sword, sword, shouldshould one feelone sofeel inclined. so inclined. In 2020,In 2020, as it ashas it beenhas been for decades, for decades, the Housethe House of Commons of Commons is the is placethe place of lawmaking of lawmaking in Great in Great Britain.Britain. The LordsThe Lords seldom seldom intervene intervene in the in legislativethe legislative process, process, and andthe Crownthe Crown automatically automatically appliesapplies the Royalthe Royal Assent Assent to bills to billspassed. passed. It has It beenhas been so since so since 1707 1707 when when Queen Queen Anne Anne rejected rejected a billa which bill which would would re-arm re-arm the Scottishthe Scottish Militia. Militia. At this At time,this time, the Frenchthe French invaders invaders were were closing closing in, andin, andAnne Anne feared feared the Scotsthe Scots might might be disloyal. be disloyal. Her vetoHer veto wasn’t wasn’t controversial. controversial. Go figure. Go figure. Lawmaking,Lawmaking, therefore, therefore, is the is sovereignthe sovereign right right of the of Commons,the Commons, and andParliamentary Parliamentary sovereignty sovereignty is perhapsis perhaps the mostthe most fundamental fundamental component component of the of Britishthe British Political Political Tradition, Tradition, until until you startyou start The House of Commons as we know it questioningquestioning this traditionthis tradition analytically analytically and andgetting getting a bit a flustered bit flustered at the at sheerthe sheer post-foundationalismpost-foundationalism of it ofall. it The all. majorityThe majority government government of the of daythe tendsday tends to produce to produce all all today is the result of almost 1,000 legislation,legislation, usually usually drawn drawn from from its manifesto its manifesto on which on which it fought it fought and andwon wonthe previousthe previous election. election. ThereThere are mechanismsare mechanisms for non-government for non-government members members to make to make law however:law however: any memberany member can can years of history. produceproduce a Private a Private Member’s Member’s Bill. Bill.For these,For these, debate debate time time is managed is managed by drawing by drawing ballots. ballots. It’s It’s goodgood fun, fun,and andwe’ll we’ll be having be having a go aat go it. at it. In 1295,In 1295, in need in need of money of money to finance to finance his wars his wars in Scotland in Scotland and andFrance, France, King King Edward Edward I called I called a a meetingmeeting of representatives of representatives from from every every shire shire and andtown town in England in England to discuss to discuss tax. tax.(He did(He sodid in so in EachEach new newParliamentary Parliamentary session session brings brings the electionthe election of a Speakerof a Speaker to the to House.the House. The HouseThe House French,French, this beingthis being Norman Norman times.) times.) These These representatives representatives included included not onlynot onlybishops, bishops, earls, earls, and and selectsselects the Speakerthe Speaker from from its membership, its membership, and andthat thatperson person goes goes on to on preside to preside over over debates, debates, baronsbarons but alsobut alsocommoners commoners - making - making this thethis firstthe firstrepresentative representative parliament parliament in Britain’s in Britain’s rulingruling on points on points of order of order and andmanaging managing the conductthe conduct of Members. of Members. The SpeakerThe Speaker is politically is politically history,history, the membersthe members of which of which were were able ableto air to their air their grievances grievances to the to King.the King. In all In honesty, all honesty, he he neutral,neutral, and andexists exists to moderate to moderate debate. debate. The legislativeThe legislative programme programme of the of Chamberthe Chamber is is was wasonly onlyinterested interested in their in their money. money. A deal A deal was wasreached, reached, requiring requiring people people to pay to apay 15% a 15%tax on tax on determineddetermined by the by Leaderthe Leader of the of Housethe House of Commons, of Commons, appointed appointed by the by Government.the Government. The The all theirall their movable movable property. property. The latterThe latter groups groups of representatives of representatives (the (theCommons) Commons) were were then then votingvoting of individual of individual Members Members is policed is policed by their by their party’s party’s ‘whips’, ‘whips’, who whoenforce enforce party party discipline discipline sent senthome home to sell to thissell ideathis ideato their to their local local communities, communities, while while those those with with land land and andwealth wealth got ongot on and andmake make sure sureMembers Members vote vote with with the party.the party. withwith the importantthe important things things like lawmaking,like lawmaking, and anddeciding deciding which which jouster jouster had hadthe bestthe best thighs, thighs, Bills Billsmust must be read be read three three times times in both in both the Commonsthe Commons and andLords Lords before before they they can becan voted be voted on, toon, to probably.probably. After After this time,this time, whenever whenever the Kingthe King needed needed money, money, he simply he simply called called another another ensureensure proper proper time time has elapsedhas elapsed for detailed for detailed reading. reading. parliament.parliament. 1430 1430 saw sawan Act an ofAct Parliament of Parliament divide divide the votingthe voting districts districts into intocounties counties and and boroughs.boroughs. Citizens Citizens lucky lucky enough enough to be to male be male and andown ownproperty property worth worth 40 shillings 40 shillings could could vote vote in in One Oneof the of mostthe most publicly publicly visible visible and andinternationally internationally infamous infamous practices practices of the of Commonsthe Commons is is theirtheir constituencies. constituencies. PrimePrime Minister’s Minister’s Questions. Questions. This Thisis held is held weekly, weekly, and andallows allows Members Members to ask to questionsask questions of the of the PrimePrime Minister. Minister. This Thisis a keyis a driverkey driver of accountability. of accountability. Every Every governmental governmental department department can becan be HenryHenry VIII really VIII really got thingsgot things going going during during the Englishthe English Reformation, Reformation, where where in 1547 in 1547 he gave he gave questionedquestioned in this in way,this way, for example for example ‘Questions ‘Questions to the to Secretarythe Secretary of State of State for Wales’ for Wales’ tends tends to be to be permissionpermission for members for members of the of commonsthe commons to meet to meet in the in Palacethe Palace of Westminster. of Westminster. The HouseThe House of of heldheld before before Prime Prime Minister’s Minister’s Questions. Questions. LordsLords was wasoriginally originally the morethe more powerful powerful of the of twothe twochambers, chambers, however however its powers its powers decreased decreased overover the centuriesthe centuries to a toposition a position where, where, in the in latethe late1600s 1600s the Commonsthe Commons had hadthe solethe soleright right to to EveryEvery Parliamentary Parliamentary session session is opened is opened by the by Monarch.the Monarch. The KingThe King or Queen or Queen arrives arrives at the at the decidedecide on taxation on taxation measures. measures. These These days, days, in practice, in practice, the Lordsthe Lords do not do standnot stand in the in waythe wayof the of the HouseHouse of Lords, of Lords, instructs instructs their their messenger messenger ‘Black ‘Black Rod’ Rod’ to go to and go andfetch fetch the Membersthe Members of the of the Commons,Commons, their their power power is symbolic. is symbolic. HouseHouse of Commons, of Commons, and andthen then something something a little a little bit strange bit strange happens. happens. Black Black Rod Rodstrides strides across across the Palacethe Palace of Westminster of Westminster to the to Commons,the Commons, before before having having the doorthe door to the to Chamberthe Chamber slammed slammed By 1801,By 1801, there there were were 658 members658 members of the of Housethe House of Commons. of Commons. When When Ireland Ireland was wasannexed annexed by by shutshut in their in their face, face, to demonstrate to demonstrate the independencethe independence of the of Commonsthe Commons and andtheir their authority. authority. GreatGreat Britain Britain in 1885, in 1885, this increasedthis increased to 670. to 670. In 1918, In 1918, this increasedthis increased further further to a topossibly a possibly quite quite AfterAfter knocking knocking three three times times with with their their staff, staff, Black Black Rod Rodis allowed is allowed to enter, to enter, to a tovery a veryloud loud uncomfortableuncomfortable 707. 707.Today, Today, 650 650members members are returnedare returned to the to House,the House, one perone constituency,per constituency, announcementannouncement of ‘Black of ‘Black Rod!’ Rod!’ by a byCommons a Commons official. official. Black Black Rod Rodinstructs instructs the Commonsthe Commons to to despitedespite the chamberthe chamber seating seating only only427. 427.This Thisdiscrepancy discrepancy between between seat seatsupply supply and anddemand demand was was attendattend an audience an audience with with the Monarchthe Monarch in ‘the in ‘theHouse House of Peers’ of Peers’ (the (theLords). Lords). Members Members of of almostalmost rectified rectified when when the chamberthe chamber of the of Commonsthe Commons was wasbombed bombed by the by Germansthe Germans during during ParliamentParliament filter filter into intothe Housethe House of Lords of Lords where where the Queenthe Queen reads reads out theout speechthe speech prepared prepared for for WorldWorld War WarII. Winston II. Winston Churchill Churchill argued argued against against enlarging enlarging the Commons,the Commons, because because with with an an her byher the by newthe newGovernment, Government, outlining outlining her Government'sher Government's plans plans for that for thatParliamentary Parliamentary session. session. expertexpert understanding understanding of psychology of psychology he ruled he ruled that: that: “A chamber “A chamber formed formed on the on linesthe lines of the of the It’s allIt’s jolly all jollygood good fun. fun.

King Edward I, the founder of Britain’s first representative Parliament. House of Commons should not be big enough to contain all its members at once without overcrowding, and there should be no question of every member having a separate seat reserved for him. If the House is big enough for all its members, nine-tenths of its debates will be conducted in the depressing atmosphere of an almost empty or half-empty Chamber.…[T]here should be on great occasions a sense of crowd and urgency”. Thankfully, Churchill did not remove vital features like the two sets of red lines on the Chamber floor, which are greater than two sword lengths apart so that opposing members can not practically engage in a mid-debate duel, should disagreements boil over. The cloakroom of the Commons additionally has velvet loops in which to place one’s sword, should one feel so inclined. In 2020, as it has been for decades, the House of Commons is the place of lawmaking in Great Britain. The Lords seldom intervene in the legislative process, and the Crown automatically applies the Royal Assent to bills passed. It has been so since 1707 when Queen Anne rejected a bill which would re-arm the Scottish Militia. At this time, the French invaders were closing in, and Anne feared the Scots might be disloyal. Her veto wasn’t controversial. Go figure. Lawmaking, therefore, is the sovereign right of the Commons, and Parliamentary sovereignty is perhaps the most fundamental component of the British Political Tradition, until you start questioning this tradition analytically and getting a bit flustered at the sheer post-foundationalism of it all. The majority government of the day tends to produce all legislation, usually drawn from its manifesto on which it fought and won the previous election. There are mechanisms for non-government members to make law however: any member can produce a Private Member’s Bill. For these, debate time is managed by drawing ballots. It’s good fun, and we’ll be having a go at it. In 1295, in need of money to finance his wars in Scotland and France, King Edward I called a meeting of representatives from every shire and town in England to discuss tax. (He did so in Each new Parliamentary session brings the election of a Speaker to the House. The House French, this being Norman times.) These representatives included not only bishops, earls, and selects the Speaker from its membership, and that person goes on to preside over debates, barons but also commoners - making this the first representative parliament in Britain’s ruling on points of order and managing the conduct of Members. The Speaker is politically history, the members of which were able to air their grievances to the King. In all honesty, he neutral, and exists to moderate debate. The legislative programme of the Chamber is was only interested in their money. A deal was reached, requiring people to pay a 15% tax on determined by the Leader of the House of Commons, appointed by the Government. The all their movable property. The latter groups of representatives (the Commons) were then voting of individual Members is policed by their party’s ‘whips’, who enforce party discipline sent home to sell this idea to their local communities, while those with land and wealth got on and make sure Members vote with the party. with the important things like lawmaking, and deciding which jouster had the best thighs, Bills must be read three times in both the Commons and Lords before they can be voted on, to probably. After this time, whenever the King needed money, he simply called another ensure proper time has elapsed for detailed reading. parliament. 1430 saw an Act of Parliament divide the voting districts into counties and boroughs. Citizens lucky enough to be male and own property worth 40 shillings could vote in One of the most publicly visible and internationally infamous practices of the Commons is their constituencies. Prime Minister’s Questions. This is held weekly, and allows Members to ask questions of the Prime Minister. This is a key driver of accountability. Every governmental department can be Henry VIII really got things going during the English Reformation, where in 1547 he gave questioned in this way, for example ‘Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales’ tends to be permission for members of the commons to meet in the Palace of Westminster. The House of held before Prime Minister’s Questions. Lords was originally the more powerful of the two chambers, however its powers decreased over the centuries to a position where, in the late 1600s the Commons had the sole right to Every Parliamentary session is opened by the Monarch. The King or Queen arrives at the decide on taxation measures. These days, in practice, the Lords do not stand in the way of the House of Lords, instructs their messenger ‘Black Rod’ to go and fetch the Members of the Commons, their power is symbolic. House of Commons, and then something a little bit strange happens. Black Rod strides across the Palace of Westminster to the Commons, before having the door to the Chamber slammed By 1801, there were 658 members of the House of Commons. When Ireland was annexed by shut in their face, to demonstrate the independence of the Commons and their authority. Great Britain in 1885, this increased to 670. In 1918, this increased further to a possibly quite After knocking three times with their staff, Black Rod is allowed to enter, to a very loud uncomfortable 707. Today, 650 members are returned to the House, one per constituency, announcement of ‘Black Rod!’ by a Commons official. Black Rod instructs the Commons to despite the chamber seating only 427. This discrepancy between seat supply and demand was attend an audience with the Monarch in ‘the House of Peers’ (the Lords). Members of almost rectified when the chamber of the Commons was bombed by the Germans during Parliament filter into the House of Lords where the Queen reads out the speech prepared for World War II. Winston Churchill argued against enlarging the Commons, because with an her by the new Government, outlining her Government's plans for that Parliamentary session. expert understanding of psychology he ruled that: “A chamber formed on the lines of the It’s all jolly good fun. House of Commons should not be big enough to contain all its members at once without overcrowding, and there should be no question of every member having a separate seat reserved for him. If the House is big enough for all its members, nine-tenths of its debates will be conducted in the depressing atmosphere of an almost empty or half-empty Chamber.…[T]here should be on great occasions a sense of crowd and urgency”. Thankfully, Churchill did not remove vital features like the two sets of red lines on the Chamber floor, which are greater than two sword lengths apart so that opposing members can not practically engage in a mid-debate duel, should disagreements boil over. The cloakroom of the Commons additionally has velvet loops in which to place one’s sword, should one feel so inclined. In 2020, as it has been for decades, the House of Commons is the place of lawmaking in Great Britain. The Lords seldom intervene in the legislative process, and the Crown automatically applies the Royal Assent to bills passed. It has been so since 1707 when Queen Anne rejected a bill which would re-arm the Scottish Militia. At this time, the French invaders were closing in, and Anne feared the Scots might be disloyal. Her veto wasn’t controversial. Go figure. Lawmaking, therefore, is the sovereign right of the Commons, and Parliamentary sovereignty is perhaps the most fundamental component of the British Political Tradition, until you start questioning this tradition analytically and getting a bit flustered at the sheer post-foundationalism of it all. The majority government of the day tends to produce all legislation, usually drawn from its manifesto on which it fought and won the previous election. There are mechanisms for non-government members to make law however: any member can produce a Private Member’s Bill. For these, debate time is managed by drawing ballots. It’s good fun, and we’ll be having a go at it. In 1295, in need of money to finance his wars in Scotland and France, King Edward I called a meeting of representatives from every shire and town in England to discuss tax. (He did so in Each new Parliamentary session brings the election of a Speaker to the House. The House French, this being Norman times.) These representatives included not only bishops, earls, and selects the Speaker from its membership, and that person goes on to preside over debates, barons but also commoners - making this the first representative parliament in Britain’s ruling on points of order and managing the conduct of Members. The Speaker is politically history, the members of which were able to air their grievances to the King. In all honesty, he neutral, and exists to moderate debate. The legislative programme of the Chamber is was only interested in their money. A deal was reached, requiring people to pay a 15% tax on determined by the Leader of the House of Commons, appointed by the Government. The all their movable property. The latter groups of representatives (the Commons) were then voting of individual Members is policed by their party’s ‘whips’, who enforce party discipline sent home to sell this idea to their local communities, while those with land and wealth got on and make sure Members vote with the party. with the important things like lawmaking, and deciding which jouster had the best thighs, Bills must be read three times in both the Commons and Lords before they can be voted on, to probably. After this time, whenever the King needed money, he simply called another ensure proper time has elapsed for detailed reading. parliament. 1430 saw an Act of Parliament divide the voting districts into counties and boroughs. Citizens lucky enough to be male and own property worth 40 shillings could vote in One of the most publicly visible and internationally infamous practices of the Commons is their constituencies. Prime Minister’s Questions. This is held weekly, and allows Members to ask questions of the Prime Minister. This is a key driver of accountability. Every governmental department can be Henry VIII really got things going during the English Reformation, where in 1547 he gave questioned in this way, for example ‘Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales’ tends to be permission for members of the commons to meet in the Palace of Westminster. The House of held before Prime Minister’s Questions. Lords was originally the more powerful of the two chambers, however its powers decreased over the centuries to a position where, in the late 1600s the Commons had the sole right to Every Parliamentary session is opened by the Monarch. The King or Queen arrives at the decide on taxation measures. These days, in practice, the Lords do not stand in the way of the House of Lords, instructs their messenger ‘Black Rod’ to go and fetch the Members of the Commons, their power is symbolic. House of Commons, and then something a little bit strange happens. Black Rod strides across the Palace of Westminster to the Commons, before having the door to the Chamber slammed By 1801, there were 658 members of the House of Commons. When Ireland was annexed by shut in their face, to demonstrate the independence of the Commons and their authority. Great Britain in 1885, this increased to 670. In 1918, this increased further to a possibly quite After knocking three times with their staff, Black Rod is allowed to enter, to a very loud uncomfortable 707. Today, 650 members are returned to the House, one per constituency, announcement of ‘Black Rod!’ by a Commons official. Black Rod instructs the Commons to despite the chamber seating only 427. This discrepancy between seat supply and demand was attend an audience with the Monarch in ‘the House of Peers’ (the Lords). Members of almost rectified when the chamber of the Commons was bombed by the Germans during Parliament filter into the House of Lords where the Queen reads out the speech prepared for World War II. Winston Churchill argued against enlarging the Commons, because with an her by the new Government, outlining her Government's plans for that Parliamentary session. expert understanding of psychology he ruled that: “A chamber formed on the lines of the It’s all jolly good fun.

The Houses of Commons and Lords as they appeared during the reign of King Charles I. Interrupting a speech question, and the Prime Minister will respond. 4. Black Rod will go to the Commons. Before they enter, somebody will shout ‘Black Rod!’ 5. Backbench Members will ask the Prime Minister questions. They must express their 5. The door to the Chamber will be slammed in Black Rod’s face as a sign of the authority Any Member who wishes to express support for or offer rebuttal to a speech may request that intent to speak as normal, and may ask a question if called to do so by the Speaker. of the House. a speaking Member ‘gives way’ mid-speech by rising and saying ‘Will the Honourable Member 6. Black Rod will hammer on the door of the Chamber three times before being admitted. give way?’ It is good practice to give way, but the speaking Member is under no obligation to Questioning other ministers 7. Black Rod will bow to the Speaker and cry ‘Mister/Madame Speaker, the Queen do so. Any high-ranking minister can be summoned to answer Members’ questions in the same commands this honourable house to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Noisiness and heckling format as PMQs. Typically, they will be questioned by their counterpart. For example, the Peers!’ Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs would be questioned by the Shadow 8. Members will proceed to the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s speech. Loud, vocal support for, or opposition to speeches is encouraged. If noise hinders the delivery Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and a relevant spokesperson from of a Member’s speech, the Speaker will call for order. General elections the third-largest party. Unparliamentary language General elections will proceed in the following fashion: Motions of no confidence Excessive rudeness, accusations of lying, or accusations of drunkenness are prohibited. If a 1. Polling: Throughout the weekend, regular polling updates will be delivered to Members, Any Member may call for a vote of no confidence in the Government by submitting a motion Member uses unparliamentary language in a statement, the Speaker will ask them to reflecting the popularity of the respective parties in real time. that reads ‘Motion that this House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government.’ It must withdraw it. If they refuse, the Speaker will compel them to leave the Chamber for the 2. Election Strategy Plans: Each party will have sixty minutes to focus on and deliver to the have at least 8 sponsors. If a motion of no confidence is passed, the Government must resign remainder of the day’s sitting. Deputy Speaker a list of strategic bullet points relating to how they want their and a general election is triggered. campaign to go. This will inform the Chairs on how the election is going to go. Voting Calling a general election 3. Timeline: The whole election will run over the course of a couple of hours. Following a Votes are carried out using the following procedure: vote to call an election, Parliament will be dissolved. Members will go back to their Any Member may call for a general election by submitting a motion that reads ‘Motion that individual huddles, and begin to devise an electoral strategy. After one hour, this must 1. Closing speeches are made. calls for an early general election to be held on [date].’ The motion is passed if two-thirds of be handed to the Deputy Speaker. 2. The Speaker will say ‘The question is on passing [X]. As many as are of that opinion say Members vote in favour. 4. Results: Results will be delivered using a BBC Exit Poll style reveal. It will simply AYE… of the contrary NO.’ Prorogation declare [X] is the largest party, and list their majority, alongside a chart of the results. 3. Members who wish to vote in favour will cry ‘AYE,’ when called to do so, and Members An updated seat map will be made available. who wish to vote against will cry ‘NO,’ when called to do so. The Monarch can prorogue Parliament at any point, but will only do so on the advice of the 4. If there is no clear majority in favour or against, the Speaker will call for a DIVISION, Calling Members to speak Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister wishes to prorogue Parliament, they must convince the crying ‘DIVISION! Clear the lobby/lobbies!’ Monarch to do so. If they succeed, the Monarch will contact the Speaker and Parliament will Members may only speak when called to do so by the Speaker. They may indicate to the 5. All Members who wish to vote will rise and leave the Chamber. Members who wish to be prorogued. Speaker that they desire to speak by briefly rising to their feet (if able to do so) - this is known vote in favour will exit through the AYE lobby, and Members who wish to vote against Changing parties as ‘bobbing’. Alternatively, Members may send the Speaker or Deputy Speaker a note will exit through the NO lobby. expressing their desire to speak - the Speaker will usually accommodate such requests. When 6. The Deputy Speaker will count the number of Members in each lobby. Members may If a Member wishes to change party, they may do so. They may either physically cross the speaking, Members must rise (if able to do so) and make their placard visible. If the Speaker return to the Chamber as soon as they have been counted. Chamber, or make a speech announcing their decision. Before making an announcement, they rises mid-speech, the speaking Member must immediately sit. 7. The Deputy Speaker will return to the Chamber and cry ‘The AYES to the right [number], should discuss their decision with the leader of the party they wish to join. The party leader the NOES to the left [number]. They will hand this information to the Speaker, who will Description of Members in the Chamber may choose to accept or to refuse their request to join. declare the result of the vote. Changing the leader of a party Members must not refer to one another by name - they may only refer to one another by title. 8. Cheering is encouraged. For example, rather than saying ‘Boris Johnson has blonde hair,’ they would say ‘The Prime In reality, each party changes its leader in a different way. In our committee, the process has Prime Minister’s Questions Minister has blonde hair,’ or ‘The Honourable Member for Uxbridge and Ruislip has blonde been simplified. A leadership election is triggered if the leader of a party resigns, or if a hair.’ Generally, the phrase ‘Honourable Member for [X]’ is used, however Privy Councillors are Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) takes place once a week, on Wednesdays. In our majority of Members in a party express that they have no confidence in their leader. Members referred to as ‘Right Honourable Member for [X],’ and Members will refer to their party committee, they will take place once a day. At PMQs, Members from across the house can ask wishing to stand for the leadership of their party must be nominated by three other Members colleagues as ‘Honourable Friend.’ the Prime Minister any question they like. By convention, the Leader of the Opposition is of the same party. A secret ballot will take place, and the candidate with the most votes will allowed to ask six questions (in our committee, they will be allowed three) - because of this, Manner of speaking win. The Deputy Speaker will act as returning officer. PMQs often becomes a sparring match between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Cabinet reshuffles Members do not direct their speeches to other Members. Instead, they address the Speaker. Opposition. PMQs is the most-viewed debate each week, and thus is an important arbiter of For example, instead of saying ‘You make an important point,’ they would say ‘Mister/Madame public opinion. In our committee, PMQs will proceed as follows: Party leaders may change the composition of their frontbench at any time. Speaker, the Honourable Member for [X] makes an important point.’ This may seem unusual, 1. A randomly chosen Member will say ‘Number one, Mister Speaker.’ The Prime Minister but is not difficult to get used to after a bit of practice. State opening of Parliament will their schedule for the day. Before proceedings begin, Parliament must be opened in the following procedure: Points of order 2. The same Member will ask the Prime Minister one question, and the Prime Minister will respond. Members may make points of order at any time by rising and saying ‘Point of order, 1. Members will gather in the Chamber. 3. The Leader of the Opposition will ask the Prime Minister three questions, and the Prime Mister/Madame Speaker.’ These can be used to ask a question, or to challenge the Speaker’s 2. The Monarch will be seated in the House of Lords. Minister will respond. decisions. 3. The Monarch will instruct the Black Rod to go to the Commons and summon Members 4. The leader of the third-largest party in the House will ask the Prime Minister one to the House of Lords for an audience. InterruptingInterrupting a speech a speech question,question, and andthe Primethe Prime Minister Minister will respond.will respond. 4. Black4. Black Rod Rodwill gowill to go the to Commons.the Commons. Before Before they they enter, enter, somebody somebody will shoutwill shout ‘Black ‘Black Rod!’ Rod!’ 5. Backbench5. Backbench Members Members will askwill theask Primethe Prime Minister Minister questions. questions. They They must must express express their their 5. The5. doorThe door to the to Chamberthe Chamber will bewill slammed be slammed in Black in Black Rod’s Rod’s face faceas a assign a signof the of authoritythe authority Any AnyMember Member who whowishes wishes to express to express support support for or for offer or offer rebuttal rebuttal to a tospeech a speech may mayrequest request that that intentintent to speak to speak as normal, as normal, and andmay mayask aask question a question if called if called to do to so do by so the by Speaker.the Speaker. of theof House.the House. a speakinga speaking Member Member ‘gives ‘gives way’ way’ mid-speech mid-speech by rising by rising and andsaying saying ‘Will ‘Will the Honourablethe Honourable Member Member 6. Black6. Black Rod Rodwill hammerwill hammer on the on doorthe door of the of Chamberthe Chamber three three times times before before being being admitted. admitted. give giveway?’ way?’ It is goodIt is good practice practice to give to giveway, way, but thebut speakingthe speaking Member Member is under is under no obligation no obligation to to QuestioningQuestioning other other ministers ministers 7. Black7. Black Rod Rodwill bowwill bowto the to Speakerthe Speaker and andcry ‘Mister/Madame cry ‘Mister/Madame Speaker, Speaker, the Queenthe Queen do so.do so. Any Anyhigh-ranking high-ranking minister minister can becan summoned be summoned to answer to answer Members’ Members’ questions questions in the in samethe same commandscommands this honourablethis honourable house house to attend to attend Her MajestyHer Majesty immediately immediately in the in Housethe House of of NoisinessNoisiness and andheckling heckling formatformat as PMQs. as PMQs. Typically, Typically, they they will bewill questioned be questioned by their by their counterpart. counterpart. For example,For example, the the Peers!’Peers!’ SecretarySecretary of State of State for Foreign for Foreign and andCommonwealth Commonwealth Affairs Affairs would would be questioned be questioned by the by Shadowthe Shadow 8. Members8. Members will proceedwill proceed to the to Housethe House of Lords of Lords to hear to hear the Queen’sthe Queen’s speech. speech. Loud,Loud, vocal vocal support support for, orfor, opposition or opposition to speeches to speeches is encouraged. is encouraged. If noise If noise hinders hinders the deliverythe delivery SecretarySecretary of State of State for Foreign for Foreign and andCommonwealth Commonwealth Affairs Affairs and anda relevant a relevant spokesperson spokesperson from from of a Member’sof a Member’s speech, speech, the Speakerthe Speaker will callwill forcall order. for order. GeneralGeneral elections elections the third-largestthe third-largest party. party. UnparliamentaryUnparliamentary language language GeneralGeneral elections elections will proceedwill proceed in the in followingthe following fashion: fashion: MotionsMotions of no of confidence no confidence ExcessiveExcessive rudeness, rudeness, accusations accusations of lying, of lying, or accusations or accusations of drunkenness of drunkenness are prohibited.are prohibited. If a If a 1. Polling:1. Polling: Throughout Throughout the weekend,the weekend, regular regular polling polling updates updates will bewill delivered be delivered to Members, to Members, Any AnyMember Member may maycall forcall a for vote a vote of no of confidence no confidence in the in Governmentthe Government by submitting by submitting a motion a motion MemberMember uses uses unparliamentary unparliamentary language language in a statement,in a statement, the Speakerthe Speaker will askwill themask them to to reflectingreflecting the popularitythe popularity of the of respectivethe respective parties parties in real in realtime. time. that thatreads reads ‘Motion ‘Motion that thatthis Housethis House has nohas confidence no confidence in Her in Majesty’sHer Majesty’s Government.’ Government.’ It must It must withdrawwithdraw it. If it.they If they refuse, refuse, the Speakerthe Speaker will compelwill compel them them to leave to leave the Chamberthe Chamber for the for the 2. Election2. Election Strategy Strategy Plans: Plans: Each Each party party will havewill have sixty sixty minutes minutes to focus to focus on and on anddeliver deliver to the to the havehave at least at least 8 sponsors. 8 sponsors. If a motion If a motion of no of confidence no confidence is passed, is passed, the Governmentthe Government must must resign resign remainderremainder of the of day’sthe day’s sitting. sitting. DeputyDeputy Speaker Speaker a list a of list strategic of strategic bullet bullet points points relating relating to how to howthey they want want their their and anda general a general election election is triggered. is triggered. campaigncampaign to go. to This go. Thiswill informwill inform the Chairsthe Chairs on how on howthe electionthe election is going is going to go. to go. VotingVoting CallingCalling a general a general election election 3. Timeline:3. Timeline: The wholeThe whole election election will runwill overrun over the coursethe course of a coupleof a couple of hours. of hours. Following Following a a VotesVotes are carriedare carried out usingout using the followingthe following procedure: procedure: votevote to call to ancall election, an election, Parliament Parliament will bewill dissolved. be dissolved. Members Members will gowill back go back to their to their Any AnyMember Member may maycall forcall a for general a general election election by submitting by submitting a motion a motion that thatreads reads ‘Motion ‘Motion that that individualindividual huddles, huddles, and andbegin begin to devise to devise an electoral an electoral strategy. strategy. After After one hour,one hour, this mustthis must 1. Closing1. Closing speeches speeches are made.are made. callscalls for an for early an early general general election election to be to held be held on [date].’ on [date].’ The motionThe motion is passed is passed if two-thirds if two-thirds of of be handedbe handed to the to Deputythe Deputy Speaker. Speaker. 2. The2. SpeakerThe Speaker will saywill ‘Thesay ‘Thequestion question is on is passing on passing [X]. As[X]. many As many as are as ofare that of thatopinion opinion say say MembersMembers vote vote in favour. in favour. 4. Results:4. Results: Results Results will bewill delivered be delivered using using a BBC a BBCExit PollExit stylePoll style reveal. reveal. It will It simplywill simply AYE…AYE… of the of contrarythe contrary NO.’ NO.’ ProrogationProrogation declaredeclare [X] is [X] the is largestthe largest party, party, and andlist their list their majority, majority, alongside alongside a chart a chart of the of results.the results. 3. Members3. Members who whowish wish to vote to vote in favour in favour will crywill ‘AYE,’ cry ‘AYE,’ when when called called to do to so, do and so, andMembers Members An updatedAn updated seat seatmap map will bewill made be made available. available. who whowish wish to vote to vote against against will crywill ‘NO,’ cry ‘NO,’ when when called called to do to so. do so. The MonarchThe Monarch can proroguecan prorogue Parliament Parliament at any at point,any point, but willbut onlywill onlydo so do on so the on advicethe advice of the of the 4. If 4.there If there is no is clear no clear majority majority in favour in favour or against, or against, the Speakerthe Speaker will callwill forcall a for DIVISION, a DIVISION, CallingCalling Members Members to speak to speak PrimePrime Minister. Minister. If the If Primethe Prime Minister Minister wishes wishes to prorogue to prorogue Parliament, Parliament, they they must must convince convince the the cryingcrying ‘DIVISION! ‘DIVISION! Clear Clear the lobby/lobbies!’the lobby/lobbies!’ MonarchMonarch to do to so. do If so. they If they succeed, succeed, the Monarchthe Monarch will contactwill contact the Speakerthe Speaker and andParliament Parliament will will MembersMembers may mayonly onlyspeak speak when when called called to do to so do by so the by Speaker.the Speaker. They They may mayindicate indicate to the to the 5. All5. Members All Members who whowish wish to vote to vote will risewill andrise andleave leave the Chamber.the Chamber. Members Members who whowish wish to to be prorogued.be prorogued. SpeakerSpeaker that thatthey they desire desire to speak to speak by briefly by briefly rising rising to their to their feet feet(if able (if ableto do to so) do - so) this - isthis known is known votevote in favour in favour will exitwill throughexit through the AYEthe AYElobby, lobby, and andMembers Members who whowish wish to vote to vote against against ChangingChanging parties parties as ‘bobbing’.as ‘bobbing’. Alternatively, Alternatively, Members Members may maysend send the Speakerthe Speaker or Deputy or Deputy Speaker Speaker a note a note will exitwill throughexit through the NOthe lobby.NO lobby. expressingexpressing their their desire desire to speak to speak - the - Speakerthe Speaker will usuallywill usually accommodate accommodate such such requests. requests. When When 6. The6. DeputyThe Deputy Speaker Speaker will countwill count the numberthe number of Members of Members in each in each lobby. lobby. Members Members may may If a MemberIf a Member wishes wishes to change to change party, party, they they may maydo so. do They so. They may mayeither either physically physically cross cross the the speaking,speaking, Members Members must must rise (ifrise able (if ableto do to so) do and so) andmake make their their placard placard visible. visible. If the If Speakerthe Speaker returnreturn to the to Chamberthe Chamber as soon as soon as they as they have have been been counted. counted. Chamber,Chamber, or make or make a speech a speech announcing announcing their their decision. decision. Before Before making making an announcement, an announcement, they they risesrises mid-speech, mid-speech, the speakingthe speaking Member Member must must immediately immediately sit. sit. 7. The7. DeputyThe Deputy Speaker Speaker will returnwill return to the to Chamberthe Chamber and andcry ‘The cry ‘TheAYES AYES to the to rightthe right [number], [number], shouldshould discuss discuss their their decision decision with with the leaderthe leader of the of partythe party they they wish wish to join. to join. The partyThe party leader leader the NOESthe NOES to the to leftthe [number].left [number]. They They will handwill hand this informationthis information to the to Speaker,the Speaker, who whowill will DescriptionDescription of Members of Members in the in Chamberthe Chamber may maychoose choose to accept to accept or to or refuse to refuse their their request request to join. to join. declaredeclare the resultthe result of the of vote.the vote. ChangingChanging the leaderthe leader of a ofparty a party MembersMembers must must not refernot refer to one to anotherone another by name by name - they - they may mayonly onlyrefer refer to one to anotherone another by title. by title. 8. Cheering8. Cheering is encouraged. is encouraged. For example,For example, rather rather than than saying saying ‘Boris ‘Boris Johnson Johnson has blondehas blonde hair,’ hair,’ they they would would say ‘Thesay ‘ThePrime Prime In reality,In reality, each each party party changes changes its leader its leader in a differentin a different way. way. In our In committee,our committee, the processthe process has has PrimePrime Minister’s Minister’s Questions Questions MinisterMinister has blondehas blonde hair,’ hair,’ or ‘The or ‘TheHonourable Honourable Member Member for Uxbridge for Uxbridge and andRuislip Ruislip has blondehas blonde beenbeen simplified. simplified. A leadership A leadership election election is triggered is triggered if the if leaderthe leader of a partyof a party resigns, resigns, or if ora if a hair.’hair.’ Generally, Generally, the phrasethe phrase ‘Honourable ‘Honourable Member Member for [X]’ for is[X]’ used, is used, however however Privy Privy Councillors Councillors are are PrimePrime Minister’s Minister’s Questions Questions (PMQs) (PMQs) takes takes place place once once a week, a week, on Wednesdays. on Wednesdays. In our In our majoritymajority of Members of Members in a partyin a party express express that thatthey they have have no confidence no confidence in their in their leader. leader. Members Members referredreferred to as to ‘Right as ‘Right Honourable Honourable Member Member for [X],’ for [X],’and andMembers Members will referwill refer to their to their party party committee,committee, they they will takewill takeplace place once once a day. a day.At PMQs, At PMQs, Members Members from from across across the housethe house can askcan ask wishingwishing to stand to stand for the for leadershipthe leadership of their of their party party must must be nominated be nominated by three by three other other Members Members colleaguescolleagues as ‘Honourable as ‘Honourable Friend.’ Friend.’ the Primethe Prime Minister Minister any questionany question they they like. like.By convention, By convention, the Leaderthe Leader of the of Oppositionthe Opposition is is of theof samethe same party. party. A secret A secret ballot ballot will takewill takeplace, place, and andthe candidatethe candidate with with the mostthe most votes votes will will allowedallowed to ask to sixask questions six questions (in our (in committee,our committee, they they will bewill allowed be allowed three) three) - because - because of this, of this, MannerManner of speaking of speaking win. win.The DeputyThe Deputy Speaker Speaker will actwill as act returning as returning officer. officer. PMQsPMQs often often becomes becomes a sparring a sparring match match between between the Primethe Prime Minister Minister and andthe Leaderthe Leader of the of the CabinetCabinet reshuffles reshuffles MembersMembers do not do directnot direct their their speeches speeches to other to other Members. Members. Instead, Instead, they they address address the Speaker.the Speaker. Opposition.Opposition. PMQs PMQs is the is most-viewedthe most-viewed debate debate each each week, week, and andthus thus is an is important an important arbiter arbiter of of For example,For example, instead instead of saying of saying ‘You ‘Youmake make an important an important point,’ point,’ they they would would say ‘Mister/Madamesay ‘Mister/Madame publicpublic opinion. opinion. In our In committee,our committee, PMQs PMQs will proceedwill proceed as follows: as follows: PartyParty leaders leaders may maychange change the compositionthe composition of their of their frontbench frontbench at any at time.any time. Speaker,Speaker, the Honourablethe Honourable Member Member for [X] for makes [X] makes an important an important point.’ point.’ This Thismay mayseem seem unusual, unusual, 1. A randomly1. A randomly chosen chosen Member Member will saywill ‘Numbersay ‘Number one, one, Mister Mister Speaker.’ Speaker.’ The PrimeThe Prime Minister Minister but isbut not is difficultnot difficult to get to used get used to after to after a bit a of bit practice. of practice. StateState opening opening of Parliament of Parliament will theirwill their schedule schedule for the for day.the day. BeforeBefore proceedings proceedings begin, begin, Parliament Parliament must must be opened be opened in the in followingthe following procedure: procedure: PointsPoints of order of order 2. The2. sameThe same Member Member will askwill theask Primethe Prime Minister Minister one question,one question, and andthe Primethe Prime Minister Minister will will respond.respond. MembersMembers may maymake make points points of order of order at any at timeany time by rising by rising and andsaying saying ‘Point ‘Point of order, of order, 1. Members1. Members will gatherwill gather in the in Chamber.the Chamber. 3. The3. LeaderThe Leader of the of Oppositionthe Opposition will askwill theask Primethe Prime Minister Minister three three questions, questions, and andthe Primethe Prime Mister/MadameMister/Madame Speaker.’ Speaker.’ These These can becan used be used to ask to aask question, a question, or to or challenge to challenge the Speaker’sthe Speaker’s 2. The2. MonarchThe Monarch will bewill seated be seated in the in Housethe House of Lords. of Lords. MinisterMinister will respond.will respond. decisions.decisions. 3. The3. MonarchThe Monarch will instructwill instruct the Blackthe Black Rod Rodto go to to go the to Commonsthe Commons and andsummon summon Members Members 4. The4. leaderThe leader of the of third-largestthe third-largest party party in the in Housethe House will askwill theask Primethe Prime Minister Minister one one to theto Housethe House of Lords of Lords for an for audience. an audience.

The House assembles to debate Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. Interrupting a speech question, and the Prime Minister will respond. 4. Black Rod will go to the Commons. Before they enter, somebody will shout ‘Black Rod!’ 5. Backbench Members will ask the Prime Minister questions. They must express their 5. The door to the Chamber will be slammed in Black Rod’s face as a sign of the authority Any Member who wishes to express support for or offer rebuttal to a speech may request that intent to speak as normal, and may ask a question if called to do so by the Speaker. of the House. a speaking Member ‘gives way’ mid-speech by rising and saying ‘Will the Honourable Member 6. Black Rod will hammer on the door of the Chamber three times before being admitted. give way?’ It is good practice to give way, but the speaking Member is under no obligation to Questioning other ministers 7. Black Rod will bow to the Speaker and cry ‘Mister/Madame Speaker, the Queen do so. Any high-ranking minister can be summoned to answer Members’ questions in the same commands this honourable house to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Noisiness and heckling format as PMQs. Typically, they will be questioned by their counterpart. For example, the Peers!’ Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs would be questioned by the Shadow 8. Members will proceed to the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s speech. Loud, vocal support for, or opposition to speeches is encouraged. If noise hinders the delivery Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and a relevant spokesperson from of a Member’s speech, the Speaker will call for order. General elections the third-largest party. Unparliamentary language General elections will proceed in the following fashion: Motions of no confidence Excessive rudeness, accusations of lying, or accusations of drunkenness are prohibited. If a 1. Polling: Throughout the weekend, regular polling updates will be delivered to Members, Any Member may call for a vote of no confidence in the Government by submitting a motion Member uses unparliamentary language in a statement, the Speaker will ask them to reflecting the popularity of the respective parties in real time. that reads ‘Motion that this House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government.’ It must withdraw it. If they refuse, the Speaker will compel them to leave the Chamber for the 2. Election Strategy Plans: Each party will have sixty minutes to focus on and deliver to the have at least 8 sponsors. If a motion of no confidence is passed, the Government must resign remainder of the day’s sitting. Deputy Speaker a list of strategic bullet points relating to how they want their and a general election is triggered. campaign to go. This will inform the Chairs on how the election is going to go. Voting Calling a general election 3. Timeline: The whole election will run over the course of a couple of hours. Following a Votes are carried out using the following procedure: vote to call an election, Parliament will be dissolved. Members will go back to their Any Member may call for a general election by submitting a motion that reads ‘Motion that individual huddles, and begin to devise an electoral strategy. After one hour, this must 1. Closing speeches are made. calls for an early general election to be held on [date].’ The motion is passed if two-thirds of be handed to the Deputy Speaker. 2. The Speaker will say ‘The question is on passing [X]. As many as are of that opinion say Members vote in favour. 4. Results: Results will be delivered using a BBC Exit Poll style reveal. It will simply AYE… of the contrary NO.’ Prorogation declare [X] is the largest party, and list their majority, alongside a chart of the results. 3. Members who wish to vote in favour will cry ‘AYE,’ when called to do so, and Members An updated seat map will be made available. who wish to vote against will cry ‘NO,’ when called to do so. The Monarch can prorogue Parliament at any point, but will only do so on the advice of the 4. If there is no clear majority in favour or against, the Speaker will call for a DIVISION, Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister wishes to prorogue Parliament, they must convince the Calling Members to speak crying ‘DIVISION! Clear the lobby/lobbies!’ Monarch to do so. If they succeed, the Monarch will contact the Speaker and Parliament will Members may only speak when called to do so by the Speaker. They may indicate to the 5. All Members who wish to vote will rise and leave the Chamber. Members who wish to be prorogued. Speaker that they desire to speak by briefly rising to their feet (if able to do so) - this is known vote in favour will exit through the AYE lobby, and Members who wish to vote against Changing parties as ‘bobbing’. Alternatively, Members may send the Speaker or Deputy Speaker a note will exit through the NO lobby. expressing their desire to speak - the Speaker will usually accommodate such requests. When 6. The Deputy Speaker will count the number of Members in each lobby. Members may If a Member wishes to change party, they may do so. They may either physically cross the speaking, Members must rise (if able to do so) and make their placard visible. If the Speaker return to the Chamber as soon as they have been counted. Chamber, or make a speech announcing their decision. Before making an announcement, they rises mid-speech, the speaking Member must immediately sit. 7. The Deputy Speaker will return to the Chamber and cry ‘The AYES to the right [number], should discuss their decision with the leader of the party they wish to join. The party leader the NOES to the left [number]. They will hand this information to the Speaker, who will may choose to accept or to refuse their request to join. Description of Members in the Chamber declare the result of the vote. Changing the leader of a party Members must not refer to one another by name - they may only refer to one another by title. 8. Cheering is encouraged. For example, rather than saying ‘Boris Johnson has blonde hair,’ they would say ‘The Prime In reality, each party changes its leader in a different way. In our committee, the process has Prime Minister’s Questions Minister has blonde hair,’ or ‘The Honourable Member for Uxbridge and Ruislip has blonde been simplified. A leadership election is triggered if the leader of a party resigns, or if a hair.’ Generally, the phrase ‘Honourable Member for [X]’ is used, however Privy Councillors are Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) takes place once a week, on Wednesdays. In our majority of Members in a party express that they have no confidence in their leader. Members referred to as ‘Right Honourable Member for [X],’ and Members will refer to their party committee, they will take place once a day. At PMQs, Members from across the house can ask wishing to stand for the leadership of their party must be nominated by three other Members colleagues as ‘Honourable Friend.’ the Prime Minister any question they like. By convention, the Leader of the Opposition is of the same party. A secret ballot will take place, and the candidate with the most votes will allowed to ask six questions (in our committee, they will be allowed three) - because of this, win. The Deputy Speaker will act as returning officer. Manner of speaking PMQs often becomes a sparring match between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Cabinet reshuffles Members do not direct their speeches to other Members. Instead, they address the Speaker. Opposition. PMQs is the most-viewed debate each week, and thus is an important arbiter of For example, instead of saying ‘You make an important point,’ they would say ‘Mister/Madame public opinion. In our committee, PMQs will proceed as follows: Party leaders may change the composition of their frontbench at any time. Speaker, the Honourable Member for [X] makes an important point.’ This may seem unusual, 1. A randomly chosen Member will say ‘Number one, Mister Speaker.’ The Prime Minister State opening of Parliament but is not difficult to get used to after a bit of practice. will their schedule for the day. Before proceedings begin, Parliament must be opened in the following procedure: Points of order 2. The same Member will ask the Prime Minister one question, and the Prime Minister will respond. 1. Members will gather in the Chamber. Members may make points of order at any time by rising and saying ‘Point of order, 3. The Leader of the Opposition will ask the Prime Minister three questions, and the Prime 2. The Monarch will be seated in the House of Lords. Mister/Madame Speaker.’ These can be used to ask a question, or to challenge the Speaker’s Minister will respond. 3. The Monarch will instruct the Black Rod to go to the Commons and summon Members decisions. 4. The leader of the third-largest party in the House will ask the Prime Minister one to the House of Lords for an audience. Interrupting a speech question, and the Prime Minister will respond. 4. Black Rod will go to the Commons. Before they enter, somebody will shout ‘Black Rod!’ 5. Backbench Members will ask the Prime Minister questions. They must express their 5. The door to the Chamber will be slammed in Black Rod’s face as a sign of the authority Any Member who wishes to express support for or offer rebuttal to a speech may request that intent to speak as normal, and may ask a question if called to do so by the Speaker. of the House. a speaking Member ‘gives way’ mid-speech by rising and saying ‘Will the Honourable Member 6. Black Rod will hammer on the door of the Chamber three times before being admitted. give way?’ It is good practice to give way, but the speaking Member is under no obligation to Questioning other ministers 7. Black Rod will bow to the Speaker and cry ‘Mister/Madame Speaker, the Queen do so. Any high-ranking minister can be summoned to answer Members’ questions in the same commands this honourable house to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Noisiness and heckling format as PMQs. Typically, they will be questioned by their counterpart. For example, the Peers!’ Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs would be questioned by the Shadow 8. Members will proceed to the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s speech. Loud, vocal support for, or opposition to speeches is encouraged. If noise hinders the delivery Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and a relevant spokesperson from of a Member’s speech, the Speaker will call for order. General elections the third-largest party. Unparliamentary language General elections will proceed in the following fashion: Motions of no confidence Excessive rudeness, accusations of lying, or accusations of drunkenness are prohibited. If a 1. Polling: Throughout the weekend, regular polling updates will be delivered to Members, Any Member may call for a vote of no confidence in the Government by submitting a motion Member uses unparliamentary language in a statement, the Speaker will ask them to reflecting the popularity of the respective parties in real time. that reads ‘Motion that this House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government.’ It must withdraw it. If they refuse, the Speaker will compel them to leave the Chamber for the 2. Election Strategy Plans: Each party will have sixty minutes to focus on and deliver to the have at least 8 sponsors. If a motion of no confidence is passed, the Government must resign remainder of the day’s sitting. Deputy Speaker a list of strategic bullet points relating to how they want their and a general election is triggered. campaign to go. This will inform the Chairs on how the election is going to go. Voting Calling a general election 3. Timeline: The whole election will run over the course of a couple of hours. Following a Votes are carried out using the following procedure: vote to call an election, Parliament will be dissolved. Members will go back to their Any Member may call for a general election by submitting a motion that reads ‘Motion that individual huddles, and begin to devise an electoral strategy. After one hour, this must 1. Closing speeches are made. calls for an early general election to be held on [date].’ The motion is passed if two-thirds of be handed to the Deputy Speaker. 2. The Speaker will say ‘The question is on passing [X]. As many as are of that opinion say Members vote in favour. 4. Results: Results will be delivered using a BBC Exit Poll style reveal. It will simply AYE… of the contrary NO.’ Prorogation declare [X] is the largest party, and list their majority, alongside a chart of the results. 3. Members who wish to vote in favour will cry ‘AYE,’ when called to do so, and Members An updated seat map will be made available. who wish to vote against will cry ‘NO,’ when called to do so. The Monarch can prorogue Parliament at any point, but will only do so on the advice of the 4. If there is no clear majority in favour or against, the Speaker will call for a DIVISION, Calling Members to speak Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister wishes to prorogue Parliament, they must convince the crying ‘DIVISION! Clear the lobby/lobbies!’ Monarch to do so. If they succeed, the Monarch will contact the Speaker and Parliament will Members may only speak when called to do so by the Speaker. They may indicate to the 5. All Members who wish to vote will rise and leave the Chamber. Members who wish to be prorogued. Speaker that they desire to speak by briefly rising to their feet (if able to do so) - this is known vote in favour will exit through the AYE lobby, and Members who wish to vote against Changing parties as ‘bobbing’. Alternatively, Members may send the Speaker or Deputy Speaker a note will exit through the NO lobby. expressing their desire to speak - the Speaker will usually accommodate such requests. When 6. The Deputy Speaker will count the number of Members in each lobby. Members may If a Member wishes to change party, they may do so. They may either physically cross the speaking, Members must rise (if able to do so) and make their placard visible. If the Speaker return to the Chamber as soon as they have been counted. Chamber, or make a speech announcing their decision. Before making an announcement, they rises mid-speech, the speaking Member must immediately sit. 7. The Deputy Speaker will return to the Chamber and cry ‘The AYES to the right [number], should discuss their decision with the leader of the party they wish to join. The party leader the NOES to the left [number]. They will hand this information to the Speaker, who will Description of Members in the Chamber may choose to accept or to refuse their request to join. declare the result of the vote. Changing the leader of a party Members must not refer to one another by name - they may only refer to one another by title. 8. Cheering is encouraged. For example, rather than saying ‘Boris Johnson has blonde hair,’ they would say ‘The Prime In reality, each party changes its leader in a different way. In our committee, the process has Prime Minister’s Questions Minister has blonde hair,’ or ‘The Honourable Member for Uxbridge and Ruislip has blonde been simplified. A leadership election is triggered if the leader of a party resigns, or if a hair.’ Generally, the phrase ‘Honourable Member for [X]’ is used, however Privy Councillors are Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) takes place once a week, on Wednesdays. In our majority of Members in a party express that they have no confidence in their leader. Members referred to as ‘Right Honourable Member for [X],’ and Members will refer to their party committee, they will take place once a day. At PMQs, Members from across the house can ask wishing to stand for the leadership of their party must be nominated by three other Members colleagues as ‘Honourable Friend.’ the Prime Minister any question they like. By convention, the Leader of the Opposition is of the same party. A secret ballot will take place, and the candidate with the most votes will allowed to ask six questions (in our committee, they will be allowed three) - because of this, Manner of speaking win. The Deputy Speaker will act as returning officer. PMQs often becomes a sparring match between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Cabinet reshuffles Members do not direct their speeches to other Members. Instead, they address the Speaker. Opposition. PMQs is the most-viewed debate each week, and thus is an important arbiter of For example, instead of saying ‘You make an important point,’ they would say ‘Mister/Madame public opinion. In our committee, PMQs will proceed as follows: Party leaders may change the composition of their frontbench at any time. Speaker, the Honourable Member for [X] makes an important point.’ This may seem unusual, 1. A randomly chosen Member will say ‘Number one, Mister Speaker.’ The Prime Minister but is not difficult to get used to after a bit of practice. State opening of Parliament will their schedule for the day. Before proceedings begin, Parliament must be opened in the following procedure: Points of order 2. The same Member will ask the Prime Minister one question, and the Prime Minister will respond. Members may make points of order at any time by rising and saying ‘Point of order, 1. Members will gather in the Chamber. 3. The Leader of the Opposition will ask the Prime Minister three questions, and the Prime Mister/Madame Speaker.’ These can be used to ask a question, or to challenge the Speaker’s 2. The Monarch will be seated in the House of Lords. Minister will respond. decisions. 3. The Monarch will instruct the Black Rod to go to the Commons and summon Members 4. The leader of the third-largest party in the House will ask the Prime Minister one to the House of Lords for an audience.

The Deputy Speaker announces the result of the House’s vote on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. Interrupting a speech question, and the Prime Minister will respond. 4. Black Rod will go to the Commons. Before they enter, somebody will shout ‘Black Rod!’ 5. Backbench Members will ask the Prime Minister questions. They must express their 5. The door to the Chamber will be slammed in Black Rod’s face as a sign of the authority Any Member who wishes to express support for or offer rebuttal to a speech may request that intent to speak as normal, and may ask a question if called to do so by the Speaker. of the House. a speaking Member ‘gives way’ mid-speech by rising and saying ‘Will the Honourable Member 6. Black Rod will hammer on the door of the Chamber three times before being admitted. give way?’ It is good practice to give way, but the speaking Member is under no obligation to Questioning other ministers 7. Black Rod will bow to the Speaker and cry ‘Mister/Madame Speaker, the Queen do so. Any high-ranking minister can be summoned to answer Members’ questions in the same commands this honourable house to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Noisiness and heckling format as PMQs. Typically, they will be questioned by their counterpart. For example, the Peers!’ Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs would be questioned by the Shadow 8. Members will proceed to the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s speech. Loud, vocal support for, or opposition to speeches is encouraged. If noise hinders the delivery Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and a relevant spokesperson from of a Member’s speech, the Speaker will call for order. General elections the third-largest party. Unparliamentary language General elections will proceed in the following fashion: Motions of no confidence Excessive rudeness, accusations of lying, or accusations of drunkenness are prohibited. If a 1. Polling: Throughout the weekend, regular polling updates will be delivered to Members, Any Member may call for a vote of no confidence in the Government by submitting a motion Member uses unparliamentary language in a statement, the Speaker will ask them to reflecting the popularity of the respective parties in real time. that reads ‘Motion that this House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government.’ It must withdraw it. If they refuse, the Speaker will compel them to leave the Chamber for the 2. Election Strategy Plans: Each party will have sixty minutes to focus on and deliver to the have at least 8 sponsors. If a motion of no confidence is passed, the Government must resign remainder of the day’s sitting. Deputy Speaker a list of strategic bullet points relating to how they want their and a general election is triggered. campaign to go. This will inform the Chairs on how the election is going to go. Voting Calling a general election 3. Timeline: The whole election will run over the course of a couple of hours. Following a Votes are carried out using the following procedure: vote to call an election, Parliament will be dissolved. Members will go back to their Any Member may call for a general election by submitting a motion that reads ‘Motion that individual huddles, and begin to devise an electoral strategy. After one hour, this must 1. Closing speeches are made. calls for an early general election to be held on [date].’ The motion is passed if two-thirds of be handed to the Deputy Speaker. 2. The Speaker will say ‘The question is on passing [X]. As many as are of that opinion say Members vote in favour. 4. Results: Results will be delivered using a BBC Exit Poll style reveal. It will simply AYE… of the contrary NO.’ Prorogation declare [X] is the largest party, and list their majority, alongside a chart of the results. 3. Members who wish to vote in favour will cry ‘AYE,’ when called to do so, and Members An updated seat map will be made available. who wish to vote against will cry ‘NO,’ when called to do so. The Monarch can prorogue Parliament at any point, but will only do so on the advice of the 4. If there is no clear majority in favour or against, the Speaker will call for a DIVISION, Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister wishes to prorogue Parliament, they must convince the Calling Members to speak crying ‘DIVISION! Clear the lobby/lobbies!’ Monarch to do so. If they succeed, the Monarch will contact the Speaker and Parliament will Members may only speak when called to do so by the Speaker. They may indicate to the 5. All Members who wish to vote will rise and leave the Chamber. Members who wish to be prorogued. Speaker that they desire to speak by briefly rising to their feet (if able to do so) - this is known vote in favour will exit through the AYE lobby, and Members who wish to vote against Changing parties as ‘bobbing’. Alternatively, Members may send the Speaker or Deputy Speaker a note will exit through the NO lobby. expressing their desire to speak - the Speaker will usually accommodate such requests. When 6. The Deputy Speaker will count the number of Members in each lobby. Members may If a Member wishes to change party, they may do so. They may either physically cross the speaking, Members must rise (if able to do so) and make their placard visible. If the Speaker return to the Chamber as soon as they have been counted. Chamber, or make a speech announcing their decision. Before making an announcement, they rises mid-speech, the speaking Member must immediately sit. 7. The Deputy Speaker will return to the Chamber and cry ‘The AYES to the right [number], should discuss their decision with the leader of the party they wish to join. The party leader the NOES to the left [number]. They will hand this information to the Speaker, who will may choose to accept or to refuse their request to join. Description of Members in the Chamber declare the result of the vote. Changing the leader of a party Members must not refer to one another by name - they may only refer to one another by title. 8. Cheering is encouraged. For example, rather than saying ‘Boris Johnson has blonde hair,’ they would say ‘The Prime In reality, each party changes its leader in a different way. In our committee, the process has Prime Minister’s Questions Minister has blonde hair,’ or ‘The Honourable Member for Uxbridge and Ruislip has blonde been simplified. A leadership election is triggered if the leader of a party resigns, or if a hair.’ Generally, the phrase ‘Honourable Member for [X]’ is used, however Privy Councillors are Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) takes place once a week, on Wednesdays. In our majority of Members in a party express that they have no confidence in their leader. Members referred to as ‘Right Honourable Member for [X],’ and Members will refer to their party committee, they will take place once a day. At PMQs, Members from across the house can ask wishing to stand for the leadership of their party must be nominated by three other Members colleagues as ‘Honourable Friend.’ the Prime Minister any question they like. By convention, the Leader of the Opposition is of the same party. A secret ballot will take place, and the candidate with the most votes will allowed to ask six questions (in our committee, they will be allowed three) - because of this, win. The Deputy Speaker will act as returning officer. Manner of speaking PMQs often becomes a sparring match between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Cabinet reshuffles Members do not direct their speeches to other Members. Instead, they address the Speaker. Opposition. PMQs is the most-viewed debate each week, and thus is an important arbiter of For example, instead of saying ‘You make an important point,’ they would say ‘Mister/Madame public opinion. In our committee, PMQs will proceed as follows: Party leaders may change the composition of their frontbench at any time. Speaker, the Honourable Member for [X] makes an important point.’ This may seem unusual, 1. A randomly chosen Member will say ‘Number one, Mister Speaker.’ The Prime Minister State opening of Parliament but is not difficult to get used to after a bit of practice. will their schedule for the day. Before proceedings begin, Parliament must be opened in the following procedure: Points of order 2. The same Member will ask the Prime Minister one question, and the Prime Minister will respond. 1. Members will gather in the Chamber. Members may make points of order at any time by rising and saying ‘Point of order, 3. The Leader of the Opposition will ask the Prime Minister three questions, and the Prime 2. The Monarch will be seated in the House of Lords. Mister/Madame Speaker.’ These can be used to ask a question, or to challenge the Speaker’s Minister will respond. 3. The Monarch will instruct the Black Rod to go to the Commons and summon Members decisions. 4. The leader of the third-largest party in the House will ask the Prime Minister one to the House of Lords for an audience. InterruptingInterrupting a speech a speech question,question, and andthe Primethe Prime Minister Minister will respond.will respond. 4. Black4. Black Rod Rodwill gowill to go the to Commons.the Commons. Before Before they they enter, enter, somebody somebody will shoutwill shout ‘Black ‘Black Rod!’ Rod!’ 5. Backbench5. Backbench Members Members will askwill theask Primethe Prime Minister Minister questions. questions. They They must must express express their their 5. The5. doorThe door to the to Chamberthe Chamber will bewill slammed be slammed in Black in Black Rod’s Rod’s face faceas a assign a signof the of authoritythe authority Any AnyMember Member who whowishes wishes to express to express support support for or for offer or offer rebuttal rebuttal to a tospeech a speech may mayrequest request that that intentintent to speak to speak as normal, as normal, and andmay mayask aask question a question if called if called to do to so do by so the by Speaker.the Speaker. of theof House.the House. a speakinga speaking Member Member ‘gives ‘gives way’ way’ mid-speech mid-speech by rising by rising and andsaying saying ‘Will ‘Will the Honourablethe Honourable Member Member 6. Black6. Black Rod Rodwill hammerwill hammer on the on doorthe door of the of Chamberthe Chamber three three times times before before being being admitted. admitted. give giveway?’ way?’ It is goodIt is good practice practice to give to giveway, way, but thebut speakingthe speaking Member Member is under is under no obligation no obligation to to QuestioningQuestioning other other ministers ministers 7. Black7. Black Rod Rodwill bowwill bowto the to Speakerthe Speaker and andcry ‘Mister/Madame cry ‘Mister/Madame Speaker, Speaker, the Queenthe Queen do so.do so. Any Anyhigh-ranking high-ranking minister minister can becan summoned be summoned to answer to answer Members’ Members’ questions questions in the in samethe same commandscommands this honourablethis honourable house house to attend to attend Her MajestyHer Majesty immediately immediately in the in Housethe House of of NoisinessNoisiness and andheckling heckling formatformat as PMQs. as PMQs. Typically, Typically, they they will bewill questioned be questioned by their by their counterpart. counterpart. For example,For example, the the Peers!’Peers!’ SecretarySecretary of State of State for Foreign for Foreign and andCommonwealth Commonwealth Affairs Affairs would would be questioned be questioned by the by Shadowthe Shadow 8. Members8. Members will proceedwill proceed to the to Housethe House of Lords of Lords to hear to hear the Queen’sthe Queen’s speech. speech. Loud,Loud, vocal vocal support support for, orfor, opposition or opposition to speeches to speeches is encouraged. is encouraged. If noise If noise hinders hinders the deliverythe delivery SecretarySecretary of State of State for Foreign for Foreign and andCommonwealth Commonwealth Affairs Affairs and anda relevant a relevant spokesperson spokesperson from from of a Member’sof a Member’s speech, speech, the Speakerthe Speaker will callwill forcall order. for order. GeneralGeneral elections elections the third-largestthe third-largest party. party. UnparliamentaryUnparliamentary language language GeneralGeneral elections elections will proceedwill proceed in the in followingthe following fashion: fashion: MotionsMotions of no of confidence no confidence ExcessiveExcessive rudeness, rudeness, accusations accusations of lying, of lying, or accusations or accusations of drunkenness of drunkenness are prohibited.are prohibited. If a If a 1. Polling:1. Polling: Throughout Throughout the weekend,the weekend, regular regular polling polling updates updates will bewill delivered be delivered to Members, to Members, Any AnyMember Member may maycall forcall a for vote a vote of no of confidence no confidence in the in Governmentthe Government by submitting by submitting a motion a motion MemberMember uses uses unparliamentary unparliamentary language language in a statement,in a statement, the Speakerthe Speaker will askwill themask them to to reflectingreflecting the popularitythe popularity of the of respectivethe respective parties parties in real in realtime. time. that thatreads reads ‘Motion ‘Motion that thatthis Housethis House has nohas confidence no confidence in Her in Majesty’sHer Majesty’s Government.’ Government.’ It must It must withdrawwithdraw it. If it.they If they refuse, refuse, the Speakerthe Speaker will compelwill compel them them to leave to leave the Chamberthe Chamber for the for the 2. Election2. Election Strategy Strategy Plans: Plans: Each Each party party will havewill have sixty sixty minutes minutes to focus to focus on and on anddeliver deliver to the to the havehave at least at least 8 sponsors. 8 sponsors. If a motion If a motion of no of confidence no confidence is passed, is passed, the Governmentthe Government must must resign resign remainderremainder of the of day’sthe day’s sitting. sitting. DeputyDeputy Speaker Speaker a list a of list strategic of strategic bullet bullet points points relating relating to how to howthey they want want their their and anda general a general election election is triggered. is triggered. campaigncampaign to go. to This go. Thiswill informwill inform the Chairsthe Chairs on how on howthe electionthe election is going is going to go. to go. VotingVoting CallingCalling a general a general election election 3. Timeline:3. Timeline: The wholeThe whole election election will runwill overrun over the coursethe course of a coupleof a couple of hours. of hours. Following Following a a VotesVotes are carriedare carried out usingout using the followingthe following procedure: procedure: votevote to call to ancall election, an election, Parliament Parliament will bewill dissolved. be dissolved. Members Members will gowill back go back to their to their Any AnyMember Member may maycall forcall a for general a general election election by submitting by submitting a motion a motion that thatreads reads ‘Motion ‘Motion that that individualindividual huddles, huddles, and andbegin begin to devise to devise an electoral an electoral strategy. strategy. After After one hour,one hour, this mustthis must 1. Closing1. Closing speeches speeches are made.are made. callscalls for an for early an early general general election election to be to held be held on [date].’ on [date].’ The motionThe motion is passed is passed if two-thirds if two-thirds of of be handedbe handed to the to Deputythe Deputy Speaker. Speaker. 2. The2. SpeakerThe Speaker will saywill ‘Thesay ‘Thequestion question is on is passing on passing [X]. As[X]. many As many as are as ofare that of thatopinion opinion say say MembersMembers vote vote in favour. in favour. 4. Results:4. Results: Results Results will bewill delivered be delivered using using a BBC a BBCExit PollExit stylePoll style reveal. reveal. It will It simplywill simply AYE…AYE… of the of contrarythe contrary NO.’ NO.’ ProrogationProrogation declaredeclare [X] is [X] the is largestthe largest party, party, and andlist their list their majority, majority, alongside alongside a chart a chart of the of results.the results. 3. Members3. Members who whowish wish to vote to vote in favour in favour will crywill ‘AYE,’ cry ‘AYE,’ when when called called to do to so, do and so, andMembers Members An updatedAn updated seat seatmap map will bewill made be made available. available. who whowish wish to vote to vote against against will crywill ‘NO,’ cry ‘NO,’ when when called called to do to so. do so. The MonarchThe Monarch can proroguecan prorogue Parliament Parliament at any at point,any point, but willbut onlywill onlydo so do on so the on advicethe advice of the of the 4. If 4.there If there is no is clear no clear majority majority in favour in favour or against, or against, the Speakerthe Speaker will callwill forcall a for DIVISION, a DIVISION, Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister wishes to prorogue Parliament, they must convince the CallingCalling Members Members to speak to speak Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister wishes to prorogue Parliament, they must convince the cryingcrying ‘DIVISION! ‘DIVISION! Clear Clear the lobby/lobbies!’the lobby/lobbies!’ MonarchMonarch to do to so. do If so. they If they succeed, succeed, the Monarchthe Monarch will contactwill contact the Speakerthe Speaker and andParliament Parliament will will MembersMembers may mayonly onlyspeak speak when when called called to do to so do by so the by Speaker.the Speaker. They They may mayindicate indicate to the to the 5. All5. Members All Members who whowish wish to vote to vote will risewill andrise andleave leave the Chamber.the Chamber. Members Members who whowish wish to to be prorogued.be prorogued. SpeakerSpeaker that thatthey they desire desire to speak to speak by briefly by briefly rising rising to their to their feet feet(if able (if ableto do to so) do - so) this - isthis known is known votevote in favour in favour will exitwill throughexit through the AYEthe AYElobby, lobby, and andMembers Members who whowish wish to vote to vote against against ChangingChanging parties parties as ‘bobbing’.as ‘bobbing’. Alternatively, Alternatively, Members Members may maysend send the Speakerthe Speaker or Deputy or Deputy Speaker Speaker a note a note will exitwill throughexit through the NOthe lobby.NO lobby. expressingexpressing their their desire desire to speak to speak - the - Speakerthe Speaker will usuallywill usually accommodate accommodate such such requests. requests. When When 6. The6. DeputyThe Deputy Speaker Speaker will countwill count the numberthe number of Members of Members in each in each lobby. lobby. Members Members may may If a MemberIf a Member wishes wishes to change to change party, party, they they may maydo so. do They so. They may mayeither either physically physically cross cross the the speaking,speaking, Members Members must must rise (ifrise able (if ableto do to so) do and so) andmake make their their placard placard visible. visible. If the If Speakerthe Speaker returnreturn to the to Chamberthe Chamber as soon as soon as they as they have have been been counted. counted. Chamber,Chamber, or make or make a speech a speech announcing announcing their their decision. decision. Before Before making making an announcement, an announcement, they they risesrises mid-speech, mid-speech, the speakingthe speaking Member Member must must immediately immediately sit. sit. 7. The7. DeputyThe Deputy Speaker Speaker will returnwill return to the to Chamberthe Chamber and andcry ‘The cry ‘TheAYES AYES to the to rightthe right [number], [number], shouldshould discuss discuss their their decision decision with with the leaderthe leader of the of partythe party they they wish wish to join. to join. The partyThe party leader leader the NOESthe NOES to the to leftthe [number].left [number]. They They will handwill hand this informationthis information to the to Speaker,the Speaker, who whowill will may choose to accept or to refuse their request to join. DescriptionDescription of Members of Members in the in Chamberthe Chamber may choose to accept or to refuse their request to join. declaredeclare the resultthe result of the of vote.the vote. ChangingChanging the leaderthe leader of a ofparty a party MembersMembers must must not refernot refer to one to anotherone another by name by name - they - they may mayonly onlyrefer refer to one to anotherone another by title. by title. 8. Cheering8. Cheering is encouraged. is encouraged. For example,For example, rather rather than than saying saying ‘Boris ‘Boris Johnson Johnson has blondehas blonde hair,’ hair,’ they they would would say ‘Thesay ‘ThePrime Prime In reality,In reality, each each party party changes changes its leader its leader in a differentin a different way. way. In our In committee,our committee, the processthe process has has PrimePrime Minister’s Minister’s Questions Questions MinisterMinister has blondehas blonde hair,’ hair,’ or ‘The or ‘TheHonourable Honourable Member Member for Uxbridge for Uxbridge and andRuislip Ruislip has blondehas blonde beenbeen simplified. simplified. A leadership A leadership election election is triggered is triggered if the if leaderthe leader of a partyof a party resigns, resigns, or if ora if a hair.’hair.’ Generally, Generally, the phrasethe phrase ‘Honourable ‘Honourable Member Member for [X]’ for is[X]’ used, is used, however however Privy Privy Councillors Councillors are are PrimePrime Minister’s Minister’s Questions Questions (PMQs) (PMQs) takes takes place place once once a week, a week, on Wednesdays. on Wednesdays. In our In our majoritymajority of Members of Members in a partyin a party express express that thatthey they have have no confidence no confidence in their in their leader. leader. Members Members referredreferred to as to ‘Right as ‘Right Honourable Honourable Member Member for [X],’ for [X],’and andMembers Members will referwill refer to their to their party party committee,committee, they they will takewill takeplace place once once a day. a day.At PMQs, At PMQs, Members Members from from across across the housethe house can askcan ask wishingwishing to stand to stand for the for leadershipthe leadership of their of their party party must must be nominated be nominated by three by three other other Members Members colleaguescolleagues as ‘Honourable as ‘Honourable Friend.’ Friend.’ the Primethe Prime Minister Minister any questionany question they they like. like.By convention, By convention, the Leaderthe Leader of the of Oppositionthe Opposition is is of theof samethe same party. party. A secret A secret ballot ballot will takewill takeplace, place, and andthe candidatethe candidate with with the mostthe most votes votes will will allowedallowed to ask to sixask questions six questions (in our (in committee,our committee, they they will bewill allowed be allowed three) three) - because - because of this, of this, win. The Deputy Speaker will act as returning officer. MannerManner of speaking of speaking win. The Deputy Speaker will act as returning officer. PMQsPMQs often often becomes becomes a sparring a sparring match match between between the Primethe Prime Minister Minister and andthe Leaderthe Leader of the of the CabinetCabinet reshuffles reshuffles MembersMembers do not do directnot direct their their speeches speeches to other to other Members. Members. Instead, Instead, they they address address the Speaker.the Speaker. Opposition.Opposition. PMQs PMQs is the is most-viewedthe most-viewed debate debate each each week, week, and andthus thus is an is important an important arbiter arbiter of of For example,For example, instead instead of saying of saying ‘You ‘Youmake make an important an important point,’ point,’ they they would would say ‘Mister/Madamesay ‘Mister/Madame publicpublic opinion. opinion. In our In committee,our committee, PMQs PMQs will proceedwill proceed as follows: as follows: PartyParty leaders leaders may maychange change the compositionthe composition of their of their frontbench frontbench at any at time.any time. Speaker,Speaker, the Honourablethe Honourable Member Member for [X] for makes [X] makes an important an important point.’ point.’ This Thismay mayseem seem unusual, unusual, 1. A randomly1. A randomly chosen chosen Member Member will saywill ‘Numbersay ‘Number one, one, Mister Mister Speaker.’ Speaker.’ The PrimeThe Prime Minister Minister State opening of Parliament but isbut not is difficultnot difficult to get to used get used to after to after a bit a of bit practice. of practice. State opening of Parliament will theirwill their schedule schedule for the for day.the day. BeforeBefore proceedings proceedings begin, begin, Parliament Parliament must must be opened be opened in the in followingthe following procedure: procedure: PointsPoints of order of order 2. The2. sameThe same Member Member will askwill theask Primethe Prime Minister Minister one question,one question, and andthe Primethe Prime Minister Minister will will respond.respond. 1. Members will gather in the Chamber. MembersMembers may maymake make points points of order of order at any at timeany time by rising by rising and andsaying saying ‘Point ‘Point of order, of order, 1. Members will gather in the Chamber. 3. The3. LeaderThe Leader of the of Oppositionthe Opposition will askwill theask Primethe Prime Minister Minister three three questions, questions, and andthe Primethe Prime 2. The Monarch will be seated in the House of Lords. Mister/MadameMister/Madame Speaker.’ Speaker.’ These These can becan used be used to ask to aask question, a question, or to or challenge to challenge the Speaker’sthe Speaker’s 2. The Monarch will be seated in the House of Lords. MinisterMinister will respond.will respond. 3. The Monarch will instruct the Black Rod to go to the Commons and summon Members decisions.decisions. 3. The Monarch will instruct the Black Rod to go to the Commons and summon Members 4. The4. leaderThe leader of the of third-largestthe third-largest party party in the in Housethe House will askwill theask Primethe Prime Minister Minister one one to theto Housethe House of Lords of Lords for an for audience. an audience.

The Queen prepares to speak in the House of Lords at the State Opening of Parliament in December 2019. Interrupting a speech question, and the Prime Minister will respond. 4. Black Rod will go to the Commons. Before they enter, somebody will shout ‘Black Rod!’ 5. Backbench Members will ask the Prime Minister questions. They must express their 5. The door to the Chamber will be slammed in Black Rod’s face as a sign of the authority Any Member who wishes to express support for or offer rebuttal to a speech may request that intent to speak as normal, and may ask a question if called to do so by the Speaker. of the House. a speaking Member ‘gives way’ mid-speech by rising and saying ‘Will the Honourable Member 6. Black Rod will hammer on the door of the Chamber three times before being admitted. give way?’ It is good practice to give way, but the speaking Member is under no obligation to Questioning other ministers 7. Black Rod will bow to the Speaker and cry ‘Mister/Madame Speaker, the Queen do so. Any high-ranking minister can be summoned to answer Members’ questions in the same commands this honourable house to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Noisiness and heckling format as PMQs. Typically, they will be questioned by their counterpart. For example, the Peers!’ Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs would be questioned by the Shadow 8. Members will proceed to the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s speech. Loud, vocal support for, or opposition to speeches is encouraged. If noise hinders the delivery Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and a relevant spokesperson from of a Member’s speech, the Speaker will call for order. General elections the third-largest party. Unparliamentary language General elections will proceed in the following fashion: Motions of no confidence Excessive rudeness, accusations of lying, or accusations of drunkenness are prohibited. If a 1. Polling: Throughout the weekend, regular polling updates will be delivered to Members, Any Member may call for a vote of no confidence in the Government by submitting a motion Member uses unparliamentary language in a statement, the Speaker will ask them to reflecting the popularity of the respective parties in real time. that reads ‘Motion that this House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government.’ It must withdraw it. If they refuse, the Speaker will compel them to leave the Chamber for the 2. Election Strategy Plans: Each party will have sixty minutes to focus on and deliver to the have at least 8 sponsors. If a motion of no confidence is passed, the Government must resign remainder of the day’s sitting. Deputy Speaker a list of strategic bullet points relating to how they want their and a general election is triggered. campaign to go. This will inform the Chairs on how the election is going to go. Voting Calling a general election 3. Timeline: The whole election will run over the course of a couple of hours. Following a Votes are carried out using the following procedure: vote to call an election, Parliament will be dissolved. Members will go back to their Any Member may call for a general election by submitting a motion that reads ‘Motion that individual huddles, and begin to devise an electoral strategy. After one hour, this must 1. Closing speeches are made. calls for an early general election to be held on [date].’ The motion is passed if two-thirds of be handed to the Deputy Speaker. 2. The Speaker will say ‘The question is on passing [X]. As many as are of that opinion say Members vote in favour. 4. Results: Results will be delivered using a BBC Exit Poll style reveal. It will simply AYE… of the contrary NO.’ Prorogation declare [X] is the largest party, and list their majority, alongside a chart of the results. 3. Members who wish to vote in favour will cry ‘AYE,’ when called to do so, and Members An updated seat map will be made available. who wish to vote against will cry ‘NO,’ when called to do so. The Monarch can prorogue Parliament at any point, but will only do so on the advice of the 4. If there is no clear majority in favour or against, the Speaker will call for a DIVISION, Calling Members to speak Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister wishes to prorogue Parliament, they must convince the crying ‘DIVISION! Clear the lobby/lobbies!’ Monarch to do so. If they succeed, the Monarch will contact the Speaker and Parliament will Members may only speak when called to do so by the Speaker. They may indicate to the 5. All Members who wish to vote will rise and leave the Chamber. Members who wish to be prorogued. Speaker that they desire to speak by briefly rising to their feet (if able to do so) - this is known vote in favour will exit through the AYE lobby, and Members who wish to vote against Changing parties as ‘bobbing’. Alternatively, Members may send the Speaker or Deputy Speaker a note will exit through the NO lobby. expressing their desire to speak - the Speaker will usually accommodate such requests. When 6. The Deputy Speaker will count the number of Members in each lobby. Members may If a Member wishes to change party, they may do so. They may either physically cross the speaking, Members must rise (if able to do so) and make their placard visible. If the Speaker return to the Chamber as soon as they have been counted. Chamber, or make a speech announcing their decision. Before making an announcement, they rises mid-speech, the speaking Member must immediately sit. 7. The Deputy Speaker will return to the Chamber and cry ‘The AYES to the right [number], should discuss their decision with the leader of the party they wish to join. The party leader the NOES to the left [number]. They will hand this information to the Speaker, who will Description of Members in the Chamber may choose to accept or to refuse their request to join. declare the result of the vote. Changing the leader of a party Members must not refer to one another by name - they may only refer to one another by title. 8. Cheering is encouraged. For example, rather than saying ‘Boris Johnson has blonde hair,’ they would say ‘The Prime In reality, each party changes its leader in a different way. In our committee, the process has Prime Minister’s Questions Minister has blonde hair,’ or ‘The Honourable Member for Uxbridge and Ruislip has blonde been simplified. A leadership election is triggered if the leader of a party resigns, or if a hair.’ Generally, the phrase ‘Honourable Member for [X]’ is used, however Privy Councillors are Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) takes place once a week, on Wednesdays. In our majority of Members in a party express that they have no confidence in their leader. Members referred to as ‘Right Honourable Member for [X],’ and Members will refer to their party committee, they will take place once a day. At PMQs, Members from across the house can ask wishing to stand for the leadership of their party must be nominated by three other Members colleagues as ‘Honourable Friend.’ the Prime Minister any question they like. By convention, the Leader of the Opposition is of the same party. A secret ballot will take place, and the candidate with the most votes will allowed to ask six questions (in our committee, they will be allowed three) - because of this, Manner of speaking win. The Deputy Speaker will act as returning officer. PMQs often becomes a sparring match between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Cabinet reshuffles Members do not direct their speeches to other Members. Instead, they address the Speaker. Opposition. PMQs is the most-viewed debate each week, and thus is an important arbiter of For example, instead of saying ‘You make an important point,’ they would say ‘Mister/Madame public opinion. In our committee, PMQs will proceed as follows: Party leaders may change the composition of their frontbench at any time. Speaker, the Honourable Member for [X] makes an important point.’ This may seem unusual, 1. A randomly chosen Member will say ‘Number one, Mister Speaker.’ The Prime Minister but is not difficult to get used to after a bit of practice. State opening of Parliament will their schedule for the day. Before proceedings begin, Parliament must be opened in the following procedure: Points of order 2. The same Member will ask the Prime Minister one question, and the Prime Minister will respond. Members may make points of order at any time by rising and saying ‘Point of order, 1. Members will gather in the Chamber. 3. The Leader of the Opposition will ask the Prime Minister three questions, and the Prime Mister/Madame Speaker.’ These can be used to ask a question, or to challenge the Speaker’s 2. The Monarch will be seated in the House of Lords. Minister will respond. decisions. 3. The Monarch will instruct the Black Rod to go to the Commons and summon Members 4. The leader of the third-largest party in the House will ask the Prime Minister one to the House of Lords for an audience. Interrupting a speech question, and the Prime Minister will respond. 4. Black Rod will go to the Commons. Before they enter, somebody will shout ‘Black Rod!’ 5. Backbench Members will ask the Prime Minister questions. They must express their 5. The door to the Chamber will be slammed in Black Rod’s face as a sign of the authority Any Member who wishes to express support for or offer rebuttal to a speech may request that intent to speak as normal, and may ask a question if called to do so by the Speaker. of the House. a speaking Member ‘gives way’ mid-speech by rising and saying ‘Will the Honourable Member 6. Black Rod will hammer on the door of the Chamber three times before being admitted. give way?’ It is good practice to give way, but the speaking Member is under no obligation to Questioning other ministers 7. Black Rod will bow to the Speaker and cry ‘Mister/Madame Speaker, the Queen do so. Any high-ranking minister can be summoned to answer Members’ questions in the same commands this honourable house to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Noisiness and heckling format as PMQs. Typically, they will be questioned by their counterpart. For example, the Peers!’ Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs would be questioned by the Shadow 8. Members will proceed to the House of Lords to hear the Queen’s speech. Loud, vocal support for, or opposition to speeches is encouraged. If noise hinders the delivery Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and a relevant spokesperson from of a Member’s speech, the Speaker will call for order. General elections the third-largest party. Unparliamentary language General elections will proceed in the following fashion: Motions of no confidence Excessive rudeness, accusations of lying, or accusations of drunkenness are prohibited. If a 1. Polling: Throughout the weekend, regular polling updates will be delivered to Members, Any Member may call for a vote of no confidence in the Government by submitting a motion Member uses unparliamentary language in a statement, the Speaker will ask them to reflecting the popularity of the respective parties in real time. that reads ‘Motion that this House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government.’ It must withdraw it. If they refuse, the Speaker will compel them to leave the Chamber for the 2. Election Strategy Plans: Each party will have sixty minutes to focus on and deliver to the have at least 8 sponsors. If a motion of no confidence is passed, the Government must resign remainder of the day’s sitting. Deputy Speaker a list of strategic bullet points relating to how they want their and a general election is triggered. campaign to go. This will inform the Chairs on how the election is going to go. Voting Calling a general election 3. Timeline: The whole election will run over the course of a couple of hours. Following a Votes are carried out using the following procedure: vote to call an election, Parliament will be dissolved. Members will go back to their Any Member may call for a general election by submitting a motion that reads ‘Motion that individual huddles, and begin to devise an electoral strategy. After one hour, this must 1. Closing speeches are made. calls for an early general election to be held on [date].’ The motion is passed if two-thirds of be handed to the Deputy Speaker. 2. The Speaker will say ‘The question is on passing [X]. As many as are of that opinion say Members vote in favour. 4. Results: Results will be delivered using a BBC Exit Poll style reveal. It will simply AYE… of the contrary NO.’ Prorogation declare [X] is the largest party, and list their majority, alongside a chart of the results. 3. Members who wish to vote in favour will cry ‘AYE,’ when called to do so, and Members An updated seat map will be made available. who wish to vote against will cry ‘NO,’ when called to do so. The Monarch can prorogue Parliament at any point, but will only do so on the advice of the 4. If there is no clear majority in favour or against, the Speaker will call for a DIVISION, Calling Members to speak Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister wishes to prorogue Parliament, they must convince the crying ‘DIVISION! Clear the lobby/lobbies!’ Monarch to do so. If they succeed, the Monarch will contact the Speaker and Parliament will Members may only speak when called to do so by the Speaker. They may indicate to the 5. All Members who wish to vote will rise and leave the Chamber. Members who wish to be prorogued. Speaker that they desire to speak by briefly rising to their feet (if able to do so) - this is known vote in favour will exit through the AYE lobby, and Members who wish to vote against Changing parties as ‘bobbing’. Alternatively, Members may send the Speaker or Deputy Speaker a note will exit through the NO lobby. expressing their desire to speak - the Speaker will usually accommodate such requests. When 6. The Deputy Speaker will count the number of Members in each lobby. Members may If a Member wishes to change party, they may do so. They may either physically cross the speaking, Members must rise (if able to do so) and make their placard visible. If the Speaker return to the Chamber as soon as they have been counted. Chamber, or make a speech announcing their decision. Before making an announcement, they rises mid-speech, the speaking Member must immediately sit. 7. The Deputy Speaker will return to the Chamber and cry ‘The AYES to the right [number], should discuss their decision with the leader of the party they wish to join. The party leader the NOES to the left [number]. They will hand this information to the Speaker, who will Description of Members in the Chamber may choose to accept or to refuse their request to join. declare the result of the vote. Changing the leader of a party Members must not refer to one another by name - they may only refer to one another by title. 8. Cheering is encouraged. For example, rather than saying ‘Boris Johnson has blonde hair,’ they would say ‘The Prime In reality, each party changes its leader in a different way. In our committee, the process has Prime Minister’s Questions Minister has blonde hair,’ or ‘The Honourable Member for Uxbridge and Ruislip has blonde been simplified. A leadership election is triggered if the leader of a party resigns, or if a hair.’ Generally, the phrase ‘Honourable Member for [X]’ is used, however Privy Councillors are Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) takes place once a week, on Wednesdays. In our majority of Members in a party express that they have no confidence in their leader. Members referred to as ‘Right Honourable Member for [X],’ and Members will refer to their party committee, they will take place once a day. At PMQs, Members from across the house can ask wishing to stand for the leadership of their party must be nominated by three other Members colleagues as ‘Honourable Friend.’ the Prime Minister any question they like. By convention, the Leader of the Opposition is of the same party. A secret ballot will take place, and the candidate with the most votes will allowed to ask six questions (in our committee, they will be allowed three) - because of this, Manner of speaking win. The Deputy Speaker will act as returning officer. PMQs often becomes a sparring match between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Cabinet reshuffles Members do not direct their speeches to other Members. Instead, they address the Speaker. Opposition. PMQs is the most-viewed debate each week, and thus is an important arbiter of For example, instead of saying ‘You make an important point,’ they would say ‘Mister/Madame public opinion. In our committee, PMQs will proceed as follows: Party leaders may change the composition of their frontbench at any time. Speaker, the Honourable Member for [X] makes an important point.’ This may seem unusual, 1. A randomly chosen Member will say ‘Number one, Mister Speaker.’ The Prime Minister but is not difficult to get used to after a bit of practice. State opening of Parliament will their schedule for the day. Before proceedings begin, Parliament must be opened in the following procedure: Points of order 2. The same Member will ask the Prime Minister one question, and the Prime Minister will respond. Members may make points of order at any time by rising and saying ‘Point of order, 1. Members will gather in the Chamber. 3. The Leader of the Opposition will ask the Prime Minister three questions, and the Prime Mister/Madame Speaker.’ These can be used to ask a question, or to challenge the Speaker’s 2. The Monarch will be seated in the House of Lords. Minister will respond. decisions. 3. The Monarch will instruct the Black Rod to go to the Commons and summon Members 4. The leader of the third-largest party in the House will ask the Prime Minister one to the House of Lords for an audience.

A hard-working returning officer counts ballots in Manchester for the 2019 general election. Auckland, Sue Hayman in Workington, and perhaps most shockingly Blyth Valley, where Ian SNP in 2018 following accusations of sexual misconduct, and has since been charged with The Greens in our committee Levy became the constituency’s first ever Conservative MP. counts of attempted ape and sexual assault.) In 2011, the SNP won a majority of seats in the Caroline Lucas was re-elected with a thumping majority in Brighton at the 2019 election, but Scottish Parliament, calling for a referendum to the held on Scottish independence, which State of Boris Johnson’s message of ‘Get Brexit Done’ got through to the right people. A vote in the Greens’ share of the vote was eaten by the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats in happened in 2014. Despite Scottish voters opting to remain part of the UK by a margin of 55% Parliament immediately following the election allowed the EU Withdrawal Agreement to pass, other areas, falling to 3%. to 45%, the SNP’s popularity afterwards exploded, with the party (under the leadership of the Parties and the UK’s exit date was set. Nicola Sturgeon) winning 56 of the 59 seats in Scotland in the 2015 general election. The Independent Group for Change With the executive but no majority, it is not easy for the Conservatives to govern. Progress on The SNP’s place as the most popular party in Scotland is now cemented largely at the expense The Independent Group for Change (TIGfC) was a centrist party founded in early 2019 by a delivering Brexit currently sees the Conservatives riding high over Labour in the polls, but the of the once-dominant Scottish Labour Party, which was pushed to a humiliating third place in groups of MPs from the Labour Party and the Conservative Party who had become polls are notoriously fickle. The Conservatives’ handling of Britain’s post-Brexit free trade the 2016 Scottish Parliament election. The SNP benefits more than most from the disenchanted with their respective parties’ handling of Brexit. They originally sat in Parliament agreements and management of the country’s finances will determine their electoral success. first-past-the-post electoral system, with the majority pro-UK vote being split between a as a loose collective of independent MPs known as The Independent Group (TIG), but soon Labour Party resurgent Scottish Conservative Party and a flailing Scottish Labour Party. The largest formed a formal party known as Change UK. The launch of TIG was a moderate success, electoral risk for the SNP is the party’s 13-year record in government. Over-stretched public garnering much attention from the media. However, Change UK’s launch was met with The Labour Party is Britain's largest left-wing party, a broad coalition of democratic socialists, services and a skyrocketing drug death rate are on the minds of many Scottish voters, who derision from some who felt that the party’s message was becoming confused. These social democrats, and trade unionists. It governed Britain for two short periods in the 1920s, could grow fatigued and opt for a change of government. problems would continue. The party contested the 2019 European election as Change UK - from 1945-1950 (as the party’s first majority government), from 1964-1970, from 1974-1978, The Independent Group (CUK-TIG) but performed poorly, gaining no MEPs. Following this, four and most recently from 1997 (when it won the largest majority in British political history) to The SNP in our committee of the party’s eleven MPs left the party to sit as The Independents (TI), a new loose grouping of 2010. Typically, Labour governments have aimed to advance worker’s rights, reduce The SNP had a very good election, winning all but three of the seats in Scotland and almost independent MPs, while two defected to the Liberal Democrats. Change UK was then socio-economic inequality, and expand the provision of public services. Most would agree wiping out the Scottish Labour Party, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish threatened with a lawsuit by the crowdfunding website Change.org, and forced to change its that the party’s most significant achievement to date is the establishment of the National 12 political parties are represented Conservative Party in the process. The SNP’s message was clear - that Scotland did not vote to name to The Independent Group for Change (TIGfC). Three valiant TIGfC MPs remained to Health Service (NHS), but others include the passing of the Equality Act 2010, the negotiation leave the European Union in 2016, and that in 2014 it voted to remain part of the UK to stand in the 2019 general election, and (in reality) each lost their seat. of the Good Friday Agreement, and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh in the House of Commons. In our guarantee its place in the EU. Assembly. TIGfC in our committee Liberal Democrats committee, 7 are represented. Labour members are no strangers to infighting and factionalism. Most recently the party has Despite a gruelling campaign in which TIGFC failed to sell its vision to the electorate, the been divided over Brexit, with the majority of Labour’s members supporting a second The once-proud Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) were founded in 1988 when the Liberal Party party returned its leader, Anna Soubry as an MP. A former Conservative MP who defected to Conservative and Unionist Party referendum on Britain's membership of the EU despite the fact that many of the party’s MPs (one of Britain’s oldest political parties, originally known as the Whigs) merged with the Social join TIGFC, Anna is a fierce defender of EU membership, and will fight Brexit all the way, most The Conservative and Unionist Party (the ‘Tories’), are the UK’s centre-right party, guided by represent seats that voted Leave. Additionally, much of the party’s history has been Democratic Party (a splinter group formed in the 1980s by disgruntled Labour MPs). The likely advocating for rejoining, or at least a very close UK-EU relationship. dominated by a struggle between the ‘hard’ left, the ‘soft’ left, and the centre-left. Liberal Democrats have traditionally advocated social liberalism and are pro-market, but in principles of liberal economics, a small State, low taxation, enterprise and now, Brexit. They Brexit Party recent years their politics have come to be defined by dogmatic opposition to Britain's are frequently described as the most successful political party in the world, due to their Labour in our committee relative electoral success spanning centuries. Its origins can be traced back to a group that departure from the European Union. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the party typically The Brexit Party was founded in early 2019 by firebrand and long-term Eurosceptic Nigel sat in parliament in the 17th century, known as the ‘Tory group’, who held power in Queen The Labour Party emerged from the 2019 general election shaken, but intact. Many seats in won between 40 and 60 seats in general elections. In 2010, the Liberal Democrats entered Farage. It quickly exploded in popularity, with support gained across England and Wales. With Anne’s final years of reign. Of the 91 years since 1929, when all adults were granted the vote, the north of England held by the party for decades fell to the Conservatives, and in Scotland government for the first time, joining the Conservative Party in a coalition. This would be their a populist message and shrewd, simple strategies, Farage’s latest project proved a great the Conservatives have held power for 59. The party has become a pragmatic vote-winning Labour lost every seat bar one to the SNP. These losses were compensated for with gains in undoing. The party’s electoral success ground to a halt in the 2015 general election when it success. Before Britain’s departure from the EU, the Brexit Party was the largest Party within machine, successful due to their flexible ideology and adaptability. Their leaders are famously London, Manchester, and other urban centres. Many seats once considered ‘safe’ by Labour lost 49 seats and was overtaken by the SNP as the UK’s third largest party. It floundered in the European Parliament, ironically. Not only does the Brexit Party advocate for Brexit, it influential within the Party (think Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchil or Boris Johnson). The are now up for grabs. The party benefited from vote-splitting between the Conservatives and subsequent elections, never winning more than 12 seats. advocates for a clean-break ‘hard Brexit’, meaning WTO trading terms if a free trade the Brexit Party, and thus has much to lose from an electoral pact between the two. Jeremy agreement cannot be reached. In order to secure a majority in favour of Brexit, the Brexit Conservatives sell themselves as the party of economic competence. The Liberal Democrats in our committee Corbyn’s position as leader of the Labour Party is weak, but remains tenable. Many of his MPs Party made an electoral pact with the Conservatives, whereby they agreed not to stand The Conservative Party has historically been divided on the issue of Europe, with a are growing frustrated with his placation on the issue of Brexit, and failure to combat The Liberal Democrats’ persistent pro-European message was successful in the 2019 general candidates in any Conservative seats. They did not, in reality, win any seats in 2019. Eurosceptic and a Europhilic wing. A strong eurosceptic faction, led by the ERG (European anti-Semitism in the party. election. They now have 33 MPs, most of whom have razor-thin majorities over the The Brexit Party in our committee Research Group) has traditionally been a formidable voting bloc within the Party, that has had second-placed Conservatives, and represent constituencies in the south-east of England and Scottish National Party great influence on policy. The split in the Conservative Party has often made the party in London’s leafy suburbs. The party’s leader Jo Swinson only just held onto her seat, with the Failing to make a pact with the Conservatives, the Brexit Party split the leave vote in many unmanageable. Founded in 1934, the Scottish National Party (SNP) advocates for Scotland to become a second-placed SNP a mere 100 votes behind. constituencies, depriving the Conservatives of their expected majority and drawing votes from completely independent, sovereign state. It is often described as being a broadly centre-left, Labour leave-voting seats alike. Despite this, they only managed to finish first in Hartlepool - The Conservatives in our committee Green Party social democratic party - but the party is home to people of a wide range of political opinion, returning their chairman Richard Tice as their sole MP. The Brexit Party did not support the The bong of Big Ben at 10pm, on the night of the last general election confirmed what Johnson united by a shared belief in Scottish nationalism. The Green Party was founded in 1990, and was largely irrelevant until 2010 when Caroline Withdrawal agreement, and will be working to ensure that the UK remains distant from EU most feared. The Conservatives are the largest party, but their majority is lost. With the Lucas was elected in Brighton as the party’s first ever MP. The Green Party is a left-wing, rules. The party rose to national prominence in 1974, when it won 11 seats in the House of Commons, greatest number of MPs, the Conservatives formed the new Government, led by Prime libertarian, environmentalist party which has at times been a home for hard-left Labour with a vote share of 30% in Scotland. In subsequent elections, the party’s support in Scotland Minister Boris Johnson. voters disenchanted by the party’s rightward shift under Tony Blair, but typically maintains declined until 1997, when the Scottish Parliament was established along with the devolved pockets of support in upper-middle class areas. The exception to this is Brighton, where While a disappointing election overall, there were some particularly great victories for the Scottish Government. The SNP gained seats in every subsequent election to the Scottish Caroline Lucas’ personal popularity has done much to broaden the party’s appeal. The Green Conservatives. While support lagged in the South of England and Scotland, the North of Parliament, overtaking the Scottish Labour Party in 2007 to become the largest party in the Party typically poll at 7% to 3%, meaning that under a system of proportional representation England saw a significant swing to the Conservatives. Labour’s ‘red wall’ of stronghold Scottish Parliament, with Alex Salmond becoming the First Minister. (He resigned from the Northern seats was smashed by new, first-time Members like Dehenna Davison in Bishop they could win up to 40 seats in the House of Commons. Auckland,Auckland, Sue HaymanSue Hayman in Workington, in Workington, and andperhaps perhaps most most shockingly shockingly Blyth Blyth Valley, Valley, where where Ian Ian SNP SNPin 2018 in 2018 following following accusations accusations of sexual of sexual misconduct, misconduct, and andhas sincehas since been been charged charged with with The GreensThe Greens in our in committeeour committee LevyLevy became became the constituency’sthe constituency’s first firstever everConservative Conservative MP. MP. countscounts of attempted of attempted ape andape andsexual sexual assault.) assault.) In 2011, In 2011, the SNPthe SNPwon wona majority a majority of seats of seats in the in the CarolineCaroline Lucas Lucas was wasre-elected re-elected with with a thumping a thumping majority majority in Brighton in Brighton at the at 2019the 2019 election, election, but but ScottishScottish Parliament, Parliament, calling calling for a for referendum a referendum to the to heldthe held on Scottish on Scottish independence, independence, which which State of BorisBoris Johnson’s Johnson’s message message of ‘Get of ‘GetBrexit Brexit Done’ Done’ got throughgot through to the to rightthe right people. people. A vote A vote in in the Greens’the Greens’ share share of the of votethe vote was waseaten eaten by the by Labourthe Labour Party Party and andthe Liberalthe Liberal Democrats Democrats in in happenedhappened in 2014. in 2014. Despite Despite Scottish Scottish voters voters opting opting to remain to remain part partof the of UKthe by UK a bymargin a margin of 55% of 55% ParliamentParliament immediately immediately following following the electionthe election allowed allowed the EUthe Withdrawal EU Withdrawal Agreement Agreement to pass, to pass, otherother areas, areas, falling falling to 3%. to 3%. to 45%,to 45%, the SNP’sthe SNP’s popularity popularity afterwards afterwards exploded, exploded, with with the partythe party (under (under the leadershipthe leadership of of the Parties and andthe UK’sthe UK’sexit dateexit date was wasset. set. NicolaNicola Sturgeon) Sturgeon) winning winning 56 of 56 the of 59the seats 59 seats in Scotland in Scotland in the in 2015the 2015 general general election. election. The IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change WithWith the executivethe executive but nobut majority, no majority, it is notit is easynot easy for the for Conservativesthe Conservatives to govern. to govern. Progress Progress on on The SNP’sThe SNP’s place place as the as mostthe most popular popular party party in Scotland in Scotland is now is nowcemented cemented largely largely at the at expensethe expense The IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change (TIGfC) (TIGfC) was wasa centrist a centrist party party founded founded in early in early 2019 2019 by a by a deliveringdelivering Brexit Brexit currently currently sees sees the Conservativesthe Conservatives riding riding high highover over Labour Labour in the in polls,the polls, but thebut the of theof once-dominantthe once-dominant Scottish Scottish Labour Labour Party, Party, which which was waspushed pushed to a tohumiliating a humiliating third third place place in in groupsgroups of MPs of MPsfrom from the Labourthe Labour Party Party and andthe Conservativethe Conservative Party Party who whohad hadbecome become pollspolls are notoriouslyare notoriously fickle. fickle. The Conservatives’The Conservatives’ handling handling of Britain’s of Britain’s post-Brexit post-Brexit free freetrade trade the 2016the 2016 Scottish Scottish Parliament Parliament election. election. The SNPThe SNPbenefits benefits more more than than most most from from the the disenchanteddisenchanted with with their their respective respective parties’ parties’ handling handling of Brexit. of Brexit. They They originally originally sat in sat Parliament in Parliament agreementsagreements and andmanagement management of the of country’sthe country’s finances finances will determinewill determine their their electoral electoral success. success. first-past-the-postfirst-past-the-post electoral electoral system, system, with with the majoritythe majority pro-UK pro-UK vote vote being being split split between between a a as a asloose a loose collective collective of independent of independent MPs MPsknown known as The as IndependentThe Independent Group Group (TIG), (TIG), but soonbut soon LabourLabour Party Party resurgentresurgent Scottish Scottish Conservative Conservative Party Party and anda flailing a flailing Scottish Scottish Labour Labour Party. Party. The largestThe largest formedformed a formal a formal party party known known as Change as Change UK. TheUK. launchThe launch of TIG of wasTIG wasa moderate a moderate success, success, electoralelectoral risk forrisk the for SNPthe SNPis the is party’sthe party’s 13-year 13-year record record in government. in government. Over-stretched Over-stretched public public garneringgarnering much much attention attention from from the media.the media. However, However, Change Change UK’s UK’slaunch launch was wasmet metwith with The LabourThe Labour Party Party is Britain's is Britain's largest largest left-wing left-wing party, party, a broad a broad coalition coalition of democratic of democratic socialists, socialists, servicesservices and anda skyrocketing a skyrocketing drug drug death death rate rateare onare the on mindsthe minds of many of many Scottish Scottish voters, voters, who who derisionderision from from some some who whofelt thatfelt thatthe party’sthe party’s message message was wasbecoming becoming confused. confused. These These socialsocial democrats, democrats, and andtrade trade unionists. unionists. It governed It governed Britain Britain for two for twoshort short periods periods in the in 1920s,the 1920s, couldcould grow grow fatigued fatigued and andopt foropt a for change a change of government. of government. problemsproblems would would continue. continue. The partyThe party contested contested the 2019the 2019 European European election election as Change as Change UK - UK - fromfrom 1945-1950 1945-1950 (as the (as party’sthe party’s first firstmajority majority government), government), from from 1964-1970, 1964-1970, from from 1974-1978, 1974-1978, The IndependentThe Independent Group Group (CUK-TIG) (CUK-TIG) but performedbut performed poorly, poorly, gaining gaining no MEPs. no MEPs. Following Following this, this, four four and andmost most recently recently from from 1997 1997 (when (when it won it wonthe largestthe largest majority majority in British in British political political history) history) to to The SNPThe SNPin our in committeeour committee of theof party’sthe party’s eleven eleven MPs MPsleft theleft partythe party to sit to as sit The as IndependentsThe Independents (TI), (TI),a new a newloose loose grouping grouping of of 2010.2010. Typically, Typically, Labour Labour governments governments have have aimed aimed to advance to advance worker’s worker’s rights, rights, reduce reduce The SNPThe SNPhad hada very a verygood good election, election, winning winning all but all threebut three of the of seatsthe seats in Scotland in Scotland and andalmost almost independentindependent MPs, MPs, while while two twodefected defected to the to Liberalthe Liberal Democrats. Democrats. Change Change UK was UK wasthen then socio-economicsocio-economic inequality, inequality, and andexpand expand the provisionthe provision of public of public services. services. Most Most would would agree agree wipingwiping out theout Scottishthe Scottish Labour Labour Party, Party, the Scottishthe Scottish Liberal Liberal Democrats, Democrats, and andthe Scottishthe Scottish threatenedthreatened with with a lawsuit a lawsuit by the by crowdfundingthe crowdfunding website website Change.org, Change.org, and andforced forced to change to change its its that thatthe party’sthe party’s most most significant significant achievement achievement to date to date is the is establishmentthe establishment of the of Nationalthe National 12 political parties are represented ConservativeConservative Party Party in the in process.the process. The SNP’sThe SNP’s message message was wasclear clear - that - thatScotland Scotland did notdid votenot vote to to namename to The to IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change (TIGfC). (TIGfC). Three Three valiant valiant TIGfC TIGfC MPs MPsremained remained to to HealthHealth Service Service (NHS), (NHS), but othersbut others include include the passingthe passing of the of Equalitythe Equality Act 2010,Act 2010, the negotiationthe negotiation leaveleave the Europeanthe European Union Union in 2016, in 2016, and andthat thatin 2014 in 2014 it voted it voted to remain to remain part partof the of UKthe to UK to standstand in the in 2019the 2019 general general election, election, and and(in reality) (in reality) each each lost theirlost their seat. seat. of theof Goodthe Good Friday Friday Agreement, Agreement, and andthe establishmentthe establishment of the of Scottishthe Scottish Parliament Parliament and andWelsh Welsh in the House of Commons. In our guaranteeguarantee its place its place in the in EU.the EU. Assembly.Assembly. TIGfCTIGfC in our in committeeour committee LiberalLiberal Democrats Democrats committee, 7 are represented. LabourLabour members members are noare strangers no strangers to infighting to infighting and andfactionalism. factionalism. Most Most recently recently the partythe party has has DespiteDespite a gruelling a gruelling campaign campaign in which in which TIGFC TIGFC failed failed to sell to itssell vision its vision to the to electorate,the electorate, the the beenbeen divided divided over over Brexit, Brexit, with with the majoritythe majority of Labour’s of Labour’s members members supporting supporting a second a second The once-proudThe once-proud Liberal Liberal Democrats Democrats (Lib (LibDems) Dems) were were founded founded in 1988 in 1988 when when the Liberalthe Liberal Party Party partyparty returned returned its leader, its leader, Anna Anna Soubry Soubry as an as MP. an AMP. former A former Conservative Conservative MP who MP whodefected defected to to ConservativeConservative and andUnionist Unionist Party Party referendumreferendum on Britain's on Britain's membership membership of the of EUthe despite EU despite the factthe factthat thatmany many of the of party’sthe party’s MPs MPs (one(one of Britain’s of Britain’s oldest oldest political political parties, parties, originally originally known known as the as Whigs)the Whigs) merged merged with with the Socialthe Social join TIGFC,join TIGFC, Anna Anna is a fierceis a fierce defender defender of EU of membership, EU membership, and andwill fightwill fight Brexit Brexit all the all way,the way, most most The ConservativeThe Conservative and andUnionist Unionist Party Party (the (the‘Tories’), ‘Tories’), are theare UK’sthe UK’scentre-right centre-right party, party, guided guided by by representrepresent seats seats that thatvoted voted Leave. Leave. Additionally, Additionally, much much of the of party’sthe party’s history history has beenhas been DemocraticDemocratic Party Party (a splinter (a splinter group group formed formed in the in 1980sthe 1980s by disgruntled by disgruntled Labour Labour MPs). MPs). The The likelylikely advocating advocating for rejoining, for rejoining, or at or least at least a very a veryclose close UK-EU UK-EU relationship. relationship. dominateddominated by a bystruggle a struggle between between the ‘hard’the ‘hard’ left, left,the ‘soft’the ‘soft’ left, left,and andthe centre-left.the centre-left. LiberalLiberal Democrats Democrats have have traditionally traditionally advocated advocated social social liberalism liberalism and andare pro-market,are pro-market, but inbut in principlesprinciples of liberal of liberal economics, economics, a small a small State, State, low taxation,low taxation, enterprise enterprise and andnow, now, Brexit. Brexit. They They Brexit Brexit Party Party recentrecent years years their their politics politics have have come come to be to defined be defined by dogmatic by dogmatic opposition opposition to Britain's to Britain's are frequentlyare frequently described described as the as mostthe most successful successful political political party party in the in world,the world, due dueto their to their LabourLabour in our in committeeour committee relativerelative electoral electoral success success spanning spanning centuries. centuries. Its origins Its origins can becan traced be traced back back to a togroup a group that that departuredeparture from from the Europeanthe European Union. Union. Throughout Throughout the 1990sthe 1990s and and2000s, 2000s, the partythe party typically typically The BrexitThe Brexit Party Party was wasfounded founded in early in early 2019 2019 by firebrand by firebrand and andlong-term long-term Eurosceptic Eurosceptic Nigel Nigel sat insat parliament in parliament in the in 17ththe 17thcentury, century, known known as the as ‘Torythe ‘Tory group’, group’, who whoheld held power power in Queen in Queen The LabourThe Labour Party Party emerged emerged from from the 2019the 2019 general general election election shaken, shaken, but intact.but intact. Many Many seats seats in in won wonbetween between 40 and 40 and60 seats 60 seats in general in general elections. elections. In 2010, In 2010, the Liberalthe Liberal Democrats Democrats entered entered Farage.Farage. It quickly It quickly exploded exploded in popularity, in popularity, with with support support gained gained across across England England and andWales. Wales. With With Anne’sAnne’s final finalyears years of reign. of reign. Of the Of 91the years 91 years since since 1929, 1929, when when all adults all adults were were granted granted the vote,the vote, the norththe north of England of England held held by the by partythe party for decades for decades fell to fell the to Conservatives,the Conservatives, and andin Scotland in Scotland governmentgovernment for the for firstthe firsttime, time, joining joining the Conservativethe Conservative Party Party in a coalition.in a coalition. This Thiswould would be their be their a populista populist message message and andshrewd, shrewd, simple simple strategies, strategies, Farage’s Farage’s latest latest project project proved proved a great a great the Conservativesthe Conservatives have have held held power power for 59. for The 59. partyThe party has becomehas become a pragmatic a pragmatic vote-winning vote-winning LabourLabour lost everylost every seat seatbar onebar toone the to SNP.the SNP. These These losses losses were were compensated compensated for with for with gains gains in in undoing.undoing. The party’sThe party’s electoral electoral success success ground ground to a tohalt a haltin the in 2015the 2015 general general election election when when it it success.success. Before Before Britain’s Britain’s departure departure from from the EU,the theEU, Brexitthe Brexit Party Party was wasthe largestthe largest Party Party within within machine,machine, successful successful due dueto their to their flexible flexible ideology ideology and andadaptability. adaptability. Their Their leaders leaders are famouslyare famously London,London, Manchester, Manchester, and andother other urban urban centres. centres. Many Many seats seats once once considered considered ‘safe’ ‘safe’ by Labour by Labour lost 49lost seats 49 seats and andwas wasovertaken overtaken by the by SNPthe SNPas the as UK’sthe UK’sthird third largest largest party. party. It floundered It floundered in in the Europeanthe European Parliament, Parliament, ironically. ironically. Not onlyNot onlydoes does the Brexitthe Brexit Party Party advocate advocate for Brexit, for Brexit, it it influentialinfluential within within the Partythe Party (think (think Margaret Margaret Thatcher, Thatcher, Winston Winston Churchil Churchil or Boris or Boris Johnson). Johnson). The The are noware nowup for up grabs. for grabs. The partyThe party benefited benefited from from vote-splitting vote-splitting between between the Conservativesthe Conservatives and and subsequentsubsequent elections, elections, never never winning winning more more than than 12 seats. 12 seats. advocatesadvocates for a for clean-break a clean-break ‘hard ‘hard Brexit’, Brexit’, meaning meaning WTO WTO trading trading terms terms if a free if a freetrade trade the Brexitthe Brexit Party, Party, and andthus thus has muchhas much to lose to losefrom from an electoral an electoral pact pact between between the two.the two. Jeremy Jeremy agreementagreement cannot cannot be reached. be reached. In order In order to secure to secure a majority a majority in favour in favour of Brexit, of Brexit, the Brexitthe Brexit ConservativesConservatives sell themselvessell themselves as the as partythe party of economic of economic competence. competence. The LiberalThe Liberal Democrats Democrats in our in committeeour committee Corbyn’sCorbyn’s position position as leader as leader of the of Labourthe Labour Party Party is weak, is weak, but remainsbut remains tenable. tenable. Many Many of his of MPs his MPs PartyParty made made an electoral an electoral pact pact with with the Conservatives,the Conservatives, whereby whereby they they agreed agreed not tonot stand to stand The ConservativeThe Conservative Party Party has historicallyhas historically been been divided divided on the on issuethe issue of Europe, of Europe, with with a a are growingare growing frustrated frustrated with with his placation his placation on the on issuethe issue of Brexit, of Brexit, and andfailure failure to combat to combat The LiberalThe Liberal Democrats’ Democrats’ persistent persistent pro-European pro-European message message was wassuccessful successful in the in 2019the 2019 general general candidatescandidates in any in Conservativeany Conservative seats. seats. They They did not,did not,in reality, in reality, win anywin seatsany seats in 2019. in 2019. EuroscepticEurosceptic and anda Europhilic a Europhilic wing. wing. A strong A strong eurosceptic eurosceptic faction, faction, led by led the by ERGthe ERG(European (European anti-Semitismanti-Semitism in the in party.the party. election.election. They They now nowhave have 33 MPs, 33 MPs, most most of whom of whom have have razor-thin razor-thin majorities majorities over over the the The BrexitThe Brexit Party Party in our in committeeour committee ResearchResearch Group) Group) has traditionallyhas traditionally been been a formidable a formidable voting voting bloc bloc within within the Party,the Party, that thathas hadhas had second-placedsecond-placed Conservatives, Conservatives, and andrepresent represent constituencies constituencies in the in south-eastthe south-east of England of England and and ScottishScottish National National Party Party greatgreat influence influence on policy. on policy. The splitThe split in the in Conservativethe Conservative Party Party has oftenhas often made made the partythe party in London’sin London’s leafy leafy suburbs. suburbs. The party’sThe party’s leader leader Jo Swinson Jo Swinson only onlyjust heldjust held onto onto her seat,her seat, with with the the FailingFailing to make to make a pact a pact with with the Conservatives,the Conservatives, the Brexitthe Brexit Party Party split split the leavethe leave vote vote in many in many unmanageable.unmanageable. FoundedFounded in 1934, in 1934, the Scottishthe Scottish National National Party Party (SNP) (SNP) advocates advocates for Scotland for Scotland to become to become a a second-placedsecond-placed SNP SNPa mere a mere 100 100votes votes behind. behind. constituencies,constituencies, depriving depriving the Conservativesthe Conservatives of their of their expected expected majority majority and anddrawing drawing votes votes from from completelycompletely independent, independent, sovereign sovereign state. state. It is oftenIt is often described described as being as being a broadly a broadly centre-left, centre-left, LabourLabour leave-voting leave-voting seats seats alike. alike. Despite Despite this, this, they they only onlymanaged managed to finish to finish first firstin Hartlepool in Hartlepool - - The ConservativesThe Conservatives in our in committeeour committee GreenGreen Party Party socialsocial democratic democratic party party - but - thebut partythe party is home is home to people to people of a wideof a wide range range of political of political opinion, opinion, returningreturning their their chairman chairman Richard Richard Tice Ticeas their as their sole soleMP. TheMP. BrexitThe Brexit Party Party did notdid supportnot support the the The bongThe bong of Big of Ben Big Benat 10pm, at 10pm, on the on nightthe night of the of lastthe generallast general election election confirmed confirmed what what Johnson Johnson unitedunited by a byshared a shared belief belief in Scottish in Scottish nationalism. nationalism. The GreenThe Green Party Party was wasfounded founded in 1990, in 1990, and andwas waslargely largely irrelevant irrelevant until until 2010 2010 when when Caroline Caroline WithdrawalWithdrawal agreement, agreement, and andwill bewill working be working to ensure to ensure that thatthe UKthe remains UK remains distant distant from from EU EU mostmost feared. feared. The ConservativesThe Conservatives are theare largestthe largest party, party, but theirbut their majority majority is lost. is lost. With With the the LucasLucas was waselected elected in Brighton in Brighton as the as party’sthe party’s first firstever everMP. TheMP. GreenThe Green Party Party is a left-wing,is a left-wing, rules.rules. The partyThe party rose roseto national to national prominence prominence in 1974, in 1974, when when it won it won11 seats 11 seats in the in Housethe House of Commons, of Commons, greatestgreatest number number of MPs, of MPs, the Conservativesthe Conservatives formed formed the newthe newGovernment, Government, led by led Prime by Prime libertarian,libertarian, environmentalist environmentalist party party which which has athas times at times been been a home a home for hard-left for hard-left Labour Labour withwith a vote a vote share share of 30% of 30% in Scotland. in Scotland. In subsequent In subsequent elections, elections, the party’sthe party’s support support in Scotland in Scotland MinisterMinister Boris Boris Johnson. Johnson. votersvoters disenchanted disenchanted by the by party’sthe party’s rightward rightward shift shift under under Tony Tony Blair, Blair, but typicallybut typically maintains maintains declineddeclined until until 1997, 1997, when when the Scottishthe Scottish Parliament Parliament was wasestablished established along along with with the devolvedthe devolved pocketspockets of support of support in upper-middle in upper-middle class class areas. areas. The exceptionThe exception to this to isthis Brighton, is Brighton, where where WhileWhile a disappointing a disappointing election election overall, overall, there there were were some some particularly particularly great great victories victories for the for the ScottishScottish Government. Government. The SNPThe SNPgained gained seats seats in every in every subsequent subsequent election election to the to Scottishthe Scottish CarolineCaroline Lucas’ Lucas’ personal personal popularity popularity has donehas done much much to broaden to broaden the party’sthe party’s appeal. appeal. The GreenThe Green Conservatives.Conservatives. While While support support lagged lagged in the in Souththe South of England of England and andScotland, Scotland, the Norththe North of of Parliament,Parliament, overtaking overtaking the Scottishthe Scottish Labour Labour Party Party in 2007 in 2007 to become to become the largestthe largest party party in the in the PartyParty typically typically poll pollat 7% at to7% 3%, to 3%,meaning meaning that thatunder under a system a system of proportional of proportional representation representation EnglandEngland saw sawa significant a significant swing swing to the to Conservatives.the Conservatives. Labour’s Labour’s ‘red ‘redwall’ wall’ of stronghold of stronghold ScottishScottish Parliament, Parliament, with with Alex AlexSalmond Salmond becoming becoming the Firstthe First Minister. Minister. (He resigned(He resigned from from the the NorthernNorthern seats seats was wassmashed smashed by new, by new, first-time first-time Members Members like Dehennalike Dehenna Davison Davison in Bishop in Bishop theythey could could win upwin to up 40 to seats 40 seats in the in Housethe House of Commons. of Commons.

Leader of the Conservative Party Boris Johnson brandishes a kipper during an empassioned speech. Auckland, Sue Hayman in Workington, and perhaps most shockingly Blyth Valley, where Ian SNP in 2018 following accusations of sexual misconduct, and has since been charged with The Greens in our committee Levy became the constituency’s first ever Conservative MP. counts of attempted ape and sexual assault.) In 2011, the SNP won a majority of seats in the Caroline Lucas was re-elected with a thumping majority in Brighton at the 2019 election, but Scottish Parliament, calling for a referendum to the held on Scottish independence, which Boris Johnson’s message of ‘Get Brexit Done’ got through to the right people. A vote in the Greens’ share of the vote was eaten by the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats in happened in 2014. Despite Scottish voters opting to remain part of the UK by a margin of 55% Parliament immediately following the election allowed the EU Withdrawal Agreement to pass, other areas, falling to 3%. to 45%, the SNP’s popularity afterwards exploded, with the party (under the leadership of and the UK’s exit date was set. Nicola Sturgeon) winning 56 of the 59 seats in Scotland in the 2015 general election. The Independent Group for Change With the executive but no majority, it is not easy for the Conservatives to govern. Progress on The SNP’s place as the most popular party in Scotland is now cemented largely at the expense The Independent Group for Change (TIGfC) was a centrist party founded in early 2019 by a delivering Brexit currently sees the Conservatives riding high over Labour in the polls, but the of the once-dominant Scottish Labour Party, which was pushed to a humiliating third place in groups of MPs from the Labour Party and the Conservative Party who had become polls are notoriously fickle. The Conservatives’ handling of Britain’s post-Brexit free trade the 2016 Scottish Parliament election. The SNP benefits more than most from the disenchanted with their respective parties’ handling of Brexit. They originally sat in Parliament agreements and management of the country’s finances will determine their electoral success. first-past-the-post electoral system, with the majority pro-UK vote being split between a as a loose collective of independent MPs known as The Independent Group (TIG), but soon Labour Party resurgent Scottish Conservative Party and a flailing Scottish Labour Party. The largest formed a formal party known as Change UK. The launch of TIG was a moderate success, electoral risk for the SNP is the party’s 13-year record in government. Over-stretched public garnering much attention from the media. However, Change UK’s launch was met with The Labour Party is Britain's largest left-wing party, a broad coalition of democratic socialists, services and a skyrocketing drug death rate are on the minds of many Scottish voters, who derision from some who felt that the party’s message was becoming confused. These social democrats, and trade unionists. It governed Britain for two short periods in the 1920s, could grow fatigued and opt for a change of government. problems would continue. The party contested the 2019 European election as Change UK - from 1945-1950 (as the party’s first majority government), from 1964-1970, from 1974-1978, The Independent Group (CUK-TIG) but performed poorly, gaining no MEPs. Following this, four and most recently from 1997 (when it won the largest majority in British political history) to The SNP in our committee of the party’s eleven MPs left the party to sit as The Independents (TI), a new loose grouping of 2010. Typically, Labour governments have aimed to advance worker’s rights, reduce The SNP had a very good election, winning all but three of the seats in Scotland and almost independent MPs, while two defected to the Liberal Democrats. Change UK was then socio-economic inequality, and expand the provision of public services. Most would agree wiping out the Scottish Labour Party, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish threatened with a lawsuit by the crowdfunding website Change.org, and forced to change its that the party’s most significant achievement to date is the establishment of the National Conservative Party in the process. The SNP’s message was clear - that Scotland did not vote to name to The Independent Group for Change (TIGfC). Three valiant TIGfC MPs remained to Health Service (NHS), but others include the passing of the Equality Act 2010, the negotiation leave the European Union in 2016, and that in 2014 it voted to remain part of the UK to stand in the 2019 general election, and (in reality) each lost their seat. of the Good Friday Agreement, and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh guarantee its place in the EU. Assembly. TIGfC in our committee Liberal Democrats Labour members are no strangers to infighting and factionalism. Most recently the party has Despite a gruelling campaign in which TIGFC failed to sell its vision to the electorate, the been divided over Brexit, with the majority of Labour’s members supporting a second The once-proud Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) were founded in 1988 when the Liberal Party party returned its leader, Anna Soubry as an MP. A former Conservative MP who defected to Conservative and Unionist Party referendum on Britain's membership of the EU despite the fact that many of the party’s MPs (one of Britain’s oldest political parties, originally known as the Whigs) merged with the Social join TIGFC, Anna is a fierce defender of EU membership, and will fight Brexit all the way, most The Conservative and Unionist Party (the ‘Tories’), are the UK’s centre-right party, guided by represent seats that voted Leave. Additionally, much of the party’s history has been Democratic Party (a splinter group formed in the 1980s by disgruntled Labour MPs). The likely advocating for rejoining, or at least a very close UK-EU relationship. dominated by a struggle between the ‘hard’ left, the ‘soft’ left, and the centre-left. Liberal Democrats have traditionally advocated social liberalism and are pro-market, but in principles of liberal economics, a small State, low taxation, enterprise and now, Brexit. They Brexit Party recent years their politics have come to be defined by dogmatic opposition to Britain's are frequently described as the most successful political party in the world, due to their Labour in our committee relative electoral success spanning centuries. Its origins can be traced back to a group that departure from the European Union. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the party typically The Brexit Party was founded in early 2019 by firebrand and long-term Eurosceptic Nigel sat in parliament in the 17th century, known as the ‘Tory group’, who held power in Queen The Labour Party emerged from the 2019 general election shaken, but intact. Many seats in won between 40 and 60 seats in general elections. In 2010, the Liberal Democrats entered Farage. It quickly exploded in popularity, with support gained across England and Wales. With Anne’s final years of reign. Of the 91 years since 1929, when all adults were granted the vote, the north of England held by the party for decades fell to the Conservatives, and in Scotland government for the first time, joining the Conservative Party in a coalition. This would be their a populist message and shrewd, simple strategies, Farage’s latest project proved a great the Conservatives have held power for 59. The party has become a pragmatic vote-winning Labour lost every seat bar one to the SNP. These losses were compensated for with gains in undoing. The party’s electoral success ground to a halt in the 2015 general election when it success. Before Britain’s departure from the EU, the Brexit Party was the largest Party within machine, successful due to their flexible ideology and adaptability. Their leaders are famously London, Manchester, and other urban centres. Many seats once considered ‘safe’ by Labour lost 49 seats and was overtaken by the SNP as the UK’s third largest party. It floundered in the European Parliament, ironically. Not only does the Brexit Party advocate for Brexit, it influential within the Party (think Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchil or Boris Johnson). The are now up for grabs. The party benefited from vote-splitting between the Conservatives and subsequent elections, never winning more than 12 seats. advocates for a clean-break ‘hard Brexit’, meaning WTO trading terms if a free trade the Brexit Party, and thus has much to lose from an electoral pact between the two. Jeremy agreement cannot be reached. In order to secure a majority in favour of Brexit, the Brexit Conservatives sell themselves as the party of economic competence. The Liberal Democrats in our committee Corbyn’s position as leader of the Labour Party is weak, but remains tenable. Many of his MPs Party made an electoral pact with the Conservatives, whereby they agreed not to stand The Conservative Party has historically been divided on the issue of Europe, with a are growing frustrated with his placation on the issue of Brexit, and failure to combat The Liberal Democrats’ persistent pro-European message was successful in the 2019 general candidates in any Conservative seats. They did not, in reality, win any seats in 2019. Eurosceptic and a Europhilic wing. A strong eurosceptic faction, led by the ERG (European anti-Semitism in the party. election. They now have 33 MPs, most of whom have razor-thin majorities over the The Brexit Party in our committee Research Group) has traditionally been a formidable voting bloc within the Party, that has had second-placed Conservatives, and represent constituencies in the south-east of England and Scottish National Party great influence on policy. The split in the Conservative Party has often made the party in London’s leafy suburbs. The party’s leader Jo Swinson only just held onto her seat, with the Failing to make a pact with the Conservatives, the Brexit Party split the leave vote in many unmanageable. Founded in 1934, the Scottish National Party (SNP) advocates for Scotland to become a second-placed SNP a mere 100 votes behind. constituencies, depriving the Conservatives of their expected majority and drawing votes from completely independent, sovereign state. It is often described as being a broadly centre-left, Labour leave-voting seats alike. Despite this, they only managed to finish first in Hartlepool - The Conservatives in our committee Green Party social democratic party - but the party is home to people of a wide range of political opinion, returning their chairman Richard Tice as their sole MP. The Brexit Party did not support the The bong of Big Ben at 10pm, on the night of the last general election confirmed what Johnson united by a shared belief in Scottish nationalism. The Green Party was founded in 1990, and was largely irrelevant until 2010 when Caroline Withdrawal agreement, and will be working to ensure that the UK remains distant from EU most feared. The Conservatives are the largest party, but their majority is lost. With the Lucas was elected in Brighton as the party’s first ever MP. The Green Party is a left-wing, rules. The party rose to national prominence in 1974, when it won 11 seats in the House of Commons, greatest number of MPs, the Conservatives formed the new Government, led by Prime libertarian, environmentalist party which has at times been a home for hard-left Labour with a vote share of 30% in Scotland. In subsequent elections, the party’s support in Scotland Minister Boris Johnson. voters disenchanted by the party’s rightward shift under Tony Blair, but typically maintains declined until 1997, when the Scottish Parliament was established along with the devolved pockets of support in upper-middle class areas. The exception to this is Brighton, where While a disappointing election overall, there were some particularly great victories for the Scottish Government. The SNP gained seats in every subsequent election to the Scottish Caroline Lucas’ personal popularity has done much to broaden the party’s appeal. The Green Conservatives. While support lagged in the South of England and Scotland, the North of Parliament, overtaking the Scottish Labour Party in 2007 to become the largest party in the Party typically poll at 7% to 3%, meaning that under a system of proportional representation England saw a significant swing to the Conservatives. Labour’s ‘red wall’ of stronghold Scottish Parliament, with Alex Salmond becoming the First Minister. (He resigned from the Northern seats was smashed by new, first-time Members like Dehenna Davison in Bishop they could win up to 40 seats in the House of Commons. Auckland,Auckland, Sue HaymanSue Hayman in Workington, in Workington, and andperhaps perhaps most most shockingly shockingly Blyth Blyth Valley, Valley, where where Ian Ian SNP SNPin 2018 in 2018 following following accusations accusations of sexual of sexual misconduct, misconduct, and andhas sincehas since been been charged charged with with The GreensThe Greens in our in committeeour committee LevyLevy became became the constituency’sthe constituency’s first firstever everConservative Conservative MP. MP. countscounts of attempted of attempted ape andape andsexual sexual assault.) assault.) In 2011, In 2011, the SNPthe SNPwon wona majority a majority of seats of seats in the in the CarolineCaroline Lucas Lucas was wasre-elected re-elected with with a thumping a thumping majority majority in Brighton in Brighton at the at 2019the 2019 election, election, but but ScottishScottish Parliament, Parliament, calling calling for a for referendum a referendum to the to heldthe held on Scottish on Scottish independence, independence, which which BorisBoris Johnson’s Johnson’s message message of ‘Get of ‘GetBrexit Brexit Done’ Done’ got throughgot through to the to rightthe right people. people. A vote A vote in in the Greens’the Greens’ share share of the of votethe vote was waseaten eaten by the by Labourthe Labour Party Party and andthe Liberalthe Liberal Democrats Democrats in in happenedhappened in 2014. in 2014. Despite Despite Scottish Scottish voters voters opting opting to remain to remain part partof the of UKthe by UK a bymargin a margin of 55% of 55% ParliamentParliament immediately immediately following following the electionthe election allowed allowed the EUthe Withdrawal EU Withdrawal Agreement Agreement to pass, to pass, otherother areas, areas, falling falling to 3%. to 3%. to 45%,to 45%, the SNP’sthe SNP’s popularity popularity afterwards afterwards exploded, exploded, with with the partythe party (under (under the leadershipthe leadership of of and andthe UK’sthe UK’sexit dateexit date was wasset. set. NicolaNicola Sturgeon) Sturgeon) winning winning 56 of 56 the of 59the seats 59 seats in Scotland in Scotland in the in 2015the 2015 general general election. election. The IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change WithWith the executivethe executive but nobut majority, no majority, it is notit is easynot easy for the for Conservativesthe Conservatives to govern. to govern. Progress Progress on on The SNP’sThe SNP’s place place as the as mostthe most popular popular party party in Scotland in Scotland is now is nowcemented cemented largely largely at the at expensethe expense The IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change (TIGfC) (TIGfC) was wasa centrist a centrist party party founded founded in early in early 2019 2019 by a by a deliveringdelivering Brexit Brexit currently currently sees sees the Conservativesthe Conservatives riding riding high highover over Labour Labour in the in polls,the polls, but thebut the of theof once-dominantthe once-dominant Scottish Scottish Labour Labour Party, Party, which which was waspushed pushed to a tohumiliating a humiliating third third place place in in groupsgroups of MPs of MPsfrom from the Labourthe Labour Party Party and andthe Conservativethe Conservative Party Party who whohad hadbecome become pollspolls are notoriouslyare notoriously fickle. fickle. The Conservatives’The Conservatives’ handling handling of Britain’s of Britain’s post-Brexit post-Brexit free freetrade trade the 2016the 2016 Scottish Scottish Parliament Parliament election. election. The SNPThe SNPbenefits benefits more more than than most most from from the the disenchanteddisenchanted with with their their respective respective parties’ parties’ handling handling of Brexit. of Brexit. They They originally originally sat in sat Parliament in Parliament agreementsagreements and andmanagement management of the of country’sthe country’s finances finances will determinewill determine their their electoral electoral success. success. first-past-the-postfirst-past-the-post electoral electoral system, system, with with the majoritythe majority pro-UK pro-UK vote vote being being split split between between a a as a asloose a loose collective collective of independent of independent MPs MPsknown known as The as IndependentThe Independent Group Group (TIG), (TIG), but soonbut soon LabourLabour Party Party resurgentresurgent Scottish Scottish Conservative Conservative Party Party and anda flailing a flailing Scottish Scottish Labour Labour Party. Party. The largestThe largest formedformed a formal a formal party party known known as Change as Change UK. TheUK. launchThe launch of TIG of wasTIG wasa moderate a moderate success, success, electoralelectoral risk forrisk the for SNPthe SNPis the is party’sthe party’s 13-year 13-year record record in government. in government. Over-stretched Over-stretched public public garneringgarnering much much attention attention from from the media.the media. However, However, Change Change UK’s UK’slaunch launch was wasmet metwith with The LabourThe Labour Party Party is Britain's is Britain's largest largest left-wing left-wing party, party, a broad a broad coalition coalition of democratic of democratic socialists, socialists, servicesservices and anda skyrocketing a skyrocketing drug drug death death rate rateare onare the on mindsthe minds of many of many Scottish Scottish voters, voters, who who derisionderision from from some some who whofelt thatfelt thatthe party’sthe party’s message message was wasbecoming becoming confused. confused. These These socialsocial democrats, democrats, and andtrade trade unionists. unionists. It governed It governed Britain Britain for two for twoshort short periods periods in the in 1920s,the 1920s, couldcould grow grow fatigued fatigued and andopt foropt a for change a change of government. of government. problemsproblems would would continue. continue. The partyThe party contested contested the 2019the 2019 European European election election as Change as Change UK - UK - fromfrom 1945-1950 1945-1950 (as the (as party’sthe party’s first firstmajority majority government), government), from from 1964-1970, 1964-1970, from from 1974-1978, 1974-1978, The IndependentThe Independent Group Group (CUK-TIG) (CUK-TIG) but performedbut performed poorly, poorly, gaining gaining no MEPs. no MEPs. Following Following this, this, four four and andmost most recently recently from from 1997 1997 (when (when it won it wonthe largestthe largest majority majority in British in British political political history) history) to to The SNPThe SNPin our in committeeour committee of theof party’sthe party’s eleven eleven MPs MPsleft theleft partythe party to sit to as sit The as IndependentsThe Independents (TI), (TI),a new a newloose loose grouping grouping of of 2010.2010. Typically, Typically, Labour Labour governments governments have have aimed aimed to advance to advance worker’s worker’s rights, rights, reduce reduce The SNPThe SNPhad hada very a verygood good election, election, winning winning all but all threebut three of the of seatsthe seats in Scotland in Scotland and andalmost almost independentindependent MPs, MPs, while while two twodefected defected to the to Liberalthe Liberal Democrats. Democrats. Change Change UK was UK wasthen then socio-economicsocio-economic inequality, inequality, and andexpand expand the provisionthe provision of public of public services. services. Most Most would would agree agree wipingwiping out theout Scottishthe Scottish Labour Labour Party, Party, the Scottishthe Scottish Liberal Liberal Democrats, Democrats, and andthe Scottishthe Scottish threatenedthreatened with with a lawsuit a lawsuit by the by crowdfundingthe crowdfunding website website Change.org, Change.org, and andforced forced to change to change its its that thatthe party’sthe party’s most most significant significant achievement achievement to date to date is the is establishmentthe establishment of the of Nationalthe National ConservativeConservative Party Party in the in process.the process. The SNP’sThe SNP’s message message was wasclear clear - that - thatScotland Scotland did notdid votenot vote to to namename to The to IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change (TIGfC). (TIGfC). Three Three valiant valiant TIGfC TIGfC MPs MPsremained remained to to HealthHealth Service Service (NHS), (NHS), but othersbut others include include the passingthe passing of the of Equalitythe Equality Act 2010,Act 2010, the negotiationthe negotiation leaveleave the Europeanthe European Union Union in 2016, in 2016, and andthat thatin 2014 in 2014 it voted it voted to remain to remain part partof the of UKthe to UK to standstand in the in 2019the 2019 general general election, election, and and(in reality) (in reality) each each lost theirlost their seat. seat. of theof Goodthe Good Friday Friday Agreement, Agreement, and andthe establishmentthe establishment of the of Scottishthe Scottish Parliament Parliament and andWelsh Welsh guaranteeguarantee its place its place in the in EU.the EU. Assembly.Assembly. TIGfCTIGfC in our in committeeour committee LiberalLiberal Democrats Democrats LabourLabour members members are noare strangers no strangers to infighting to infighting and andfactionalism. factionalism. Most Most recently recently the partythe party has has DespiteDespite a gruelling a gruelling campaign campaign in which in which TIGFC TIGFC failed failed to sell to itssell vision its vision to the to electorate,the electorate, the the beenbeen divided divided over over Brexit, Brexit, with with the majoritythe majority of Labour’s of Labour’s members members supporting supporting a second a second The once-proudThe once-proud Liberal Liberal Democrats Democrats (Lib (LibDems) Dems) were were founded founded in 1988 in 1988 when when the Liberalthe Liberal Party Party partyparty returned returned its leader, its leader, Anna Anna Soubry Soubry as an as MP. an AMP. former A former Conservative Conservative MP who MP whodefected defected to to ConservativeConservative and andUnionist Unionist Party Party referendumreferendum on Britain's on Britain's membership membership of the of EUthe despite EU despite the factthe factthat thatmany many of the of party’sthe party’s MPs MPs (one(one of Britain’s of Britain’s oldest oldest political political parties, parties, originally originally known known as the as Whigs)the Whigs) merged merged with with the Socialthe Social join TIGFC,join TIGFC, Anna Anna is a fierceis a fierce defender defender of EU of membership, EU membership, and andwill fightwill fight Brexit Brexit all the all way,the way, most most The ConservativeThe Conservative and andUnionist Unionist Party Party (the (the‘Tories’), ‘Tories’), are theare UK’sthe UK’scentre-right centre-right party, party, guided guided by by representrepresent seats seats that thatvoted voted Leave. Leave. Additionally, Additionally, much much of the of party’sthe party’s history history has beenhas been DemocraticDemocratic Party Party (a splinter (a splinter group group formed formed in the in 1980sthe 1980s by disgruntled by disgruntled Labour Labour MPs). MPs). The The likelylikely advocating advocating for rejoining, for rejoining, or at or least at least a very a veryclose close UK-EU UK-EU relationship. relationship. dominateddominated by a bystruggle a struggle between between the ‘hard’the ‘hard’ left, left,the ‘soft’the ‘soft’ left, left,and andthe centre-left.the centre-left. LiberalLiberal Democrats Democrats have have traditionally traditionally advocated advocated social social liberalism liberalism and andare pro-market,are pro-market, but inbut in principlesprinciples of liberal of liberal economics, economics, a small a small State, State, low taxation,low taxation, enterprise enterprise and andnow, now, Brexit. Brexit. They They Brexit Brexit Party Party recentrecent years years their their politics politics have have come come to be to defined be defined by dogmatic by dogmatic opposition opposition to Britain's to Britain's are frequentlyare frequently described described as the as mostthe most successful successful political political party party in the in world,the world, due dueto their to their LabourLabour in our in committeeour committee relativerelative electoral electoral success success spanning spanning centuries. centuries. Its origins Its origins can becan traced be traced back back to a togroup a group that that departuredeparture from from the Europeanthe European Union. Union. Throughout Throughout the 1990sthe 1990s and and2000s, 2000s, the partythe party typically typically The BrexitThe Brexit Party Party was wasfounded founded in early in early 2019 2019 by firebrand by firebrand and andlong-term long-term Eurosceptic Eurosceptic Nigel Nigel sat insat parliament in parliament in the in 17ththe 17thcentury, century, known known as the as ‘Torythe ‘Tory group’, group’, who whoheld held power power in Queen in Queen The LabourThe Labour Party Party emerged emerged from from the 2019the 2019 general general election election shaken, shaken, but intact.but intact. Many Many seats seats in in won wonbetween between 40 and 40 and60 seats 60 seats in general in general elections. elections. In 2010, In 2010, the Liberalthe Liberal Democrats Democrats entered entered Farage.Farage. It quickly It quickly exploded exploded in popularity, in popularity, with with support support gained gained across across England England and andWales. Wales. With With Anne’sAnne’s final finalyears years of reign. of reign. Of the Of 91the years 91 years since since 1929, 1929, when when all adults all adults were were granted granted the vote,the vote, the norththe north of England of England held held by the by partythe party for decades for decades fell to fell the to Conservatives,the Conservatives, and andin Scotland in Scotland governmentgovernment for the for firstthe firsttime, time, joining joining the Conservativethe Conservative Party Party in a coalition.in a coalition. This Thiswould would be their be their a populista populist message message and andshrewd, shrewd, simple simple strategies, strategies, Farage’s Farage’s latest latest project project proved proved a great a great the Conservativesthe Conservatives have have held held power power for 59. for The 59. partyThe party has becomehas become a pragmatic a pragmatic vote-winning vote-winning LabourLabour lost everylost every seat seatbar onebar toone the to SNP.the SNP. These These losses losses were were compensated compensated for with for with gains gains in in undoing.undoing. The party’sThe party’s electoral electoral success success ground ground to a tohalt a haltin the in 2015the 2015 general general election election when when it it success.success. Before Before Britain’s Britain’s departure departure from from the EU,the theEU, Brexitthe Brexit Party Party was wasthe largestthe largest Party Party within within machine,machine, successful successful due dueto their to their flexible flexible ideology ideology and andadaptability. adaptability. Their Their leaders leaders are famouslyare famously London,London, Manchester, Manchester, and andother other urban urban centres. centres. Many Many seats seats once once considered considered ‘safe’ ‘safe’ by Labour by Labour lost 49lost seats 49 seats and andwas wasovertaken overtaken by the by SNPthe SNPas the as UK’sthe UK’sthird third largest largest party. party. It floundered It floundered in in the Europeanthe European Parliament, Parliament, ironically. ironically. Not onlyNot onlydoes does the Brexitthe Brexit Party Party advocate advocate for Brexit, for Brexit, it it influentialinfluential within within the Partythe Party (think (think Margaret Margaret Thatcher, Thatcher, Winston Winston Churchil Churchil or Boris or Boris Johnson). Johnson). The The are noware nowup for up grabs. for grabs. The partyThe party benefited benefited from from vote-splitting vote-splitting between between the Conservativesthe Conservatives and and subsequentsubsequent elections, elections, never never winning winning more more than than 12 seats. 12 seats. advocatesadvocates for a for clean-break a clean-break ‘hard ‘hard Brexit’, Brexit’, meaning meaning WTO WTO trading trading terms terms if a free if a freetrade trade the Brexitthe Brexit Party, Party, and andthus thus has muchhas much to lose to losefrom from an electoral an electoral pact pact between between the two.the two. Jeremy Jeremy agreementagreement cannot cannot be reached. be reached. In order In order to secure to secure a majority a majority in favour in favour of Brexit, of Brexit, the Brexitthe Brexit ConservativesConservatives sell themselvessell themselves as the as partythe party of economic of economic competence. competence. The LiberalThe Liberal Democrats Democrats in our in committeeour committee Corbyn’sCorbyn’s position position as leader as leader of the of Labourthe Labour Party Party is weak, is weak, but remainsbut remains tenable. tenable. Many Many of his of MPs his MPs PartyParty made made an electoral an electoral pact pact with with the Conservatives,the Conservatives, whereby whereby they they agreed agreed not tonot stand to stand The ConservativeThe Conservative Party Party has historicallyhas historically been been divided divided on the on issuethe issue of Europe, of Europe, with with a a are growingare growing frustrated frustrated with with his placation his placation on the on issuethe issue of Brexit, of Brexit, and andfailure failure to combat to combat The LiberalThe Liberal Democrats’ Democrats’ persistent persistent pro-European pro-European message message was wassuccessful successful in the in 2019the 2019 general general candidatescandidates in any in Conservativeany Conservative seats. seats. They They did not,did not,in reality, in reality, win anywin seatsany seats in 2019. in 2019. EuroscepticEurosceptic and anda Europhilic a Europhilic wing. wing. A strong A strong eurosceptic eurosceptic faction, faction, led by led the by ERGthe ERG(European (European anti-Semitismanti-Semitism in the in party.the party. election.election. They They now nowhave have 33 MPs, 33 MPs, most most of whom of whom have have razor-thin razor-thin majorities majorities over over the the The BrexitThe Brexit Party Party in our in committeeour committee ResearchResearch Group) Group) has traditionallyhas traditionally been been a formidable a formidable voting voting bloc bloc within within the Party,the Party, that thathas hadhas had second-placedsecond-placed Conservatives, Conservatives, and andrepresent represent constituencies constituencies in the in south-eastthe south-east of England of England and and ScottishScottish National National Party Party greatgreat influence influence on policy. on policy. The splitThe split in the in Conservativethe Conservative Party Party has oftenhas often made made the partythe party in London’sin London’s leafy leafy suburbs. suburbs. The party’sThe party’s leader leader Jo Swinson Jo Swinson only onlyjust heldjust held onto onto her seat,her seat, with with the the FailingFailing to make to make a pact a pact with with the Conservatives,the Conservatives, the Brexitthe Brexit Party Party split split the leavethe leave vote vote in many in many unmanageable.unmanageable. FoundedFounded in 1934, in 1934, the Scottishthe Scottish National National Party Party (SNP) (SNP) advocates advocates for Scotland for Scotland to become to become a a second-placedsecond-placed SNP SNPa mere a mere 100 100votes votes behind. behind. constituencies,constituencies, depriving depriving the Conservativesthe Conservatives of their of their expected expected majority majority and anddrawing drawing votes votes from from completelycompletely independent, independent, sovereign sovereign state. state. It is oftenIt is often described described as being as being a broadly a broadly centre-left, centre-left, LabourLabour leave-voting leave-voting seats seats alike. alike. Despite Despite this, this, they they only onlymanaged managed to finish to finish first firstin Hartlepool in Hartlepool - - The ConservativesThe Conservatives in our in committeeour committee GreenGreen Party Party socialsocial democratic democratic party party - but - thebut partythe party is home is home to people to people of a wideof a wide range range of political of political opinion, opinion, returningreturning their their chairman chairman Richard Richard Tice Ticeas their as their sole soleMP. TheMP. BrexitThe Brexit Party Party did notdid supportnot support the the The bongThe bong of Big of Ben Big Benat 10pm, at 10pm, on the on nightthe night of the of lastthe generallast general election election confirmed confirmed what what Johnson Johnson unitedunited by a byshared a shared belief belief in Scottish in Scottish nationalism. nationalism. The GreenThe Green Party Party was wasfounded founded in 1990, in 1990, and andwas waslargely largely irrelevant irrelevant until until 2010 2010 when when Caroline Caroline WithdrawalWithdrawal agreement, agreement, and andwill bewill working be working to ensure to ensure that thatthe UKthe remains UK remains distant distant from from EU EU mostmost feared. feared. The ConservativesThe Conservatives are theare largestthe largest party, party, but theirbut their majority majority is lost. is lost. With With the the LucasLucas was waselected elected in Brighton in Brighton as the as party’sthe party’s first firstever everMP. TheMP. GreenThe Green Party Party is a left-wing,is a left-wing, rules.rules. The partyThe party rose roseto national to national prominence prominence in 1974, in 1974, when when it won it won11 seats 11 seats in the in Housethe House of Commons, of Commons, greatestgreatest number number of MPs, of MPs, the Conservativesthe Conservatives formed formed the newthe newGovernment, Government, led by led Prime by Prime libertarian,libertarian, environmentalist environmentalist party party which which has athas times at times been been a home a home for hard-left for hard-left Labour Labour withwith a vote a vote share share of 30% of 30% in Scotland. in Scotland. In subsequent In subsequent elections, elections, the party’sthe party’s support support in Scotland in Scotland MinisterMinister Boris Boris Johnson. Johnson. votersvoters disenchanted disenchanted by the by party’sthe party’s rightward rightward shift shift under under Tony Tony Blair, Blair, but typicallybut typically maintains maintains declineddeclined until until 1997, 1997, when when the Scottishthe Scottish Parliament Parliament was wasestablished established along along with with the devolvedthe devolved pocketspockets of support of support in upper-middle in upper-middle class class areas. areas. The exceptionThe exception to this to isthis Brighton, is Brighton, where where WhileWhile a disappointing a disappointing election election overall, overall, there there were were some some particularly particularly great great victories victories for the for the ScottishScottish Government. Government. The SNPThe SNPgained gained seats seats in every in every subsequent subsequent election election to the to Scottishthe Scottish CarolineCaroline Lucas’ Lucas’ personal personal popularity popularity has donehas done much much to broaden to broaden the party’sthe party’s appeal. appeal. The GreenThe Green Conservatives.Conservatives. While While support support lagged lagged in the in Souththe South of England of England and andScotland, Scotland, the Norththe North of of Parliament,Parliament, overtaking overtaking the Scottishthe Scottish Labour Labour Party Party in 2007 in 2007 to become to become the largestthe largest party party in the in the PartyParty typically typically poll pollat 7% at to7% 3%, to 3%,meaning meaning that thatunder under a system a system of proportional of proportional representation representation EnglandEngland saw sawa significant a significant swing swing to the to Conservatives.the Conservatives. Labour’s Labour’s ‘red ‘redwall’ wall’ of stronghold of stronghold ScottishScottish Parliament, Parliament, with with Alex AlexSalmond Salmond becoming becoming the Firstthe First Minister. Minister. (He resigned(He resigned from from the the NorthernNorthern seats seats was wassmashed smashed by new, by new, first-time first-time Members Members like Dehennalike Dehenna Davison Davison in Bishop in Bishop theythey could could win upwin to up 40 to seats 40 seats in the in Housethe House of Commons. of Commons.

Jeremy Corbyn speaks at the Labour Party’s conference in Brighton in 2019. Auckland, Sue Hayman in Workington, and perhaps most shockingly Blyth Valley, where Ian SNP in 2018 following accusations of sexual misconduct, and has since been charged with The Greens in our committee Levy became the constituency’s first ever Conservative MP. counts of attempted ape and sexual assault.) In 2011, the SNP won a majority of seats in the Caroline Lucas was re-elected with a thumping majority in Brighton at the 2019 election, but Scottish Parliament, calling for a referendum to the held on Scottish independence, which Boris Johnson’s message of ‘Get Brexit Done’ got through to the right people. A vote in the Greens’ share of the vote was eaten by the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats in happened in 2014. Despite Scottish voters opting to remain part of the UK by a margin of 55% Parliament immediately following the election allowed the EU Withdrawal Agreement to pass, other areas, falling to 3%. to 45%, the SNP’s popularity afterwards exploded, with the party (under the leadership of and the UK’s exit date was set. Nicola Sturgeon) winning 56 of the 59 seats in Scotland in the 2015 general election. The Independent Group for Change With the executive but no majority, it is not easy for the Conservatives to govern. Progress on The SNP’s place as the most popular party in Scotland is now cemented largely at the expense The Independent Group for Change (TIGfC) was a centrist party founded in early 2019 by a delivering Brexit currently sees the Conservatives riding high over Labour in the polls, but the of the once-dominant Scottish Labour Party, which was pushed to a humiliating third place in groups of MPs from the Labour Party and the Conservative Party who had become polls are notoriously fickle. The Conservatives’ handling of Britain’s post-Brexit free trade the 2016 Scottish Parliament election. The SNP benefits more than most from the disenchanted with their respective parties’ handling of Brexit. They originally sat in Parliament agreements and management of the country’s finances will determine their electoral success. first-past-the-post electoral system, with the majority pro-UK vote being split between a as a loose collective of independent MPs known as The Independent Group (TIG), but soon Labour Party resurgent Scottish Conservative Party and a flailing Scottish Labour Party. The largest formed a formal party known as Change UK. The launch of TIG was a moderate success, electoral risk for the SNP is the party’s 13-year record in government. Over-stretched public garnering much attention from the media. However, Change UK’s launch was met with The Labour Party is Britain's largest left-wing party, a broad coalition of democratic socialists, services and a skyrocketing drug death rate are on the minds of many Scottish voters, who derision from some who felt that the party’s message was becoming confused. These social democrats, and trade unionists. It governed Britain for two short periods in the 1920s, could grow fatigued and opt for a change of government. problems would continue. The party contested the 2019 European election as Change UK - from 1945-1950 (as the party’s first majority government), from 1964-1970, from 1974-1978, The Independent Group (CUK-TIG) but performed poorly, gaining no MEPs. Following this, four and most recently from 1997 (when it won the largest majority in British political history) to The SNP in our committee of the party’s eleven MPs left the party to sit as The Independents (TI), a new loose grouping of 2010. Typically, Labour governments have aimed to advance worker’s rights, reduce The SNP had a very good election, winning all but three of the seats in Scotland and almost independent MPs, while two defected to the Liberal Democrats. Change UK was then socio-economic inequality, and expand the provision of public services. Most would agree wiping out the Scottish Labour Party, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish threatened with a lawsuit by the crowdfunding website Change.org, and forced to change its that the party’s most significant achievement to date is the establishment of the National Conservative Party in the process. The SNP’s message was clear - that Scotland did not vote to name to The Independent Group for Change (TIGfC). Three valiant TIGfC MPs remained to Health Service (NHS), but others include the passing of the Equality Act 2010, the negotiation leave the European Union in 2016, and that in 2014 it voted to remain part of the UK to stand in the 2019 general election, and (in reality) each lost their seat. of the Good Friday Agreement, and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh guarantee its place in the EU. Assembly. TIGfC in our committee Liberal Democrats Labour members are no strangers to infighting and factionalism. Most recently the party has Despite a gruelling campaign in which TIGFC failed to sell its vision to the electorate, the been divided over Brexit, with the majority of Labour’s members supporting a second The once-proud Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) were founded in 1988 when the Liberal Party party returned its leader, Anna Soubry as an MP. A former Conservative MP who defected to Conservative and Unionist Party referendum on Britain's membership of the EU despite the fact that many of the party’s MPs (one of Britain’s oldest political parties, originally known as the Whigs) merged with the Social join TIGFC, Anna is a fierce defender of EU membership, and will fight Brexit all the way, most The Conservative and Unionist Party (the ‘Tories’), are the UK’s centre-right party, guided by represent seats that voted Leave. Additionally, much of the party’s history has been Democratic Party (a splinter group formed in the 1980s by disgruntled Labour MPs). The likely advocating for rejoining, or at least a very close UK-EU relationship. dominated by a struggle between the ‘hard’ left, the ‘soft’ left, and the centre-left. Liberal Democrats have traditionally advocated social liberalism and are pro-market, but in principles of liberal economics, a small State, low taxation, enterprise and now, Brexit. They Brexit Party recent years their politics have come to be defined by dogmatic opposition to Britain's are frequently described as the most successful political party in the world, due to their Labour in our committee relative electoral success spanning centuries. Its origins can be traced back to a group that departure from the European Union. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the party typically The Brexit Party was founded in early 2019 by firebrand and long-term Eurosceptic Nigel sat in parliament in the 17th century, known as the ‘Tory group’, who held power in Queen The Labour Party emerged from the 2019 general election shaken, but intact. Many seats in won between 40 and 60 seats in general elections. In 2010, the Liberal Democrats entered Farage. It quickly exploded in popularity, with support gained across England and Wales. With Anne’s final years of reign. Of the 91 years since 1929, when all adults were granted the vote, the north of England held by the party for decades fell to the Conservatives, and in Scotland government for the first time, joining the Conservative Party in a coalition. This would be their a populist message and shrewd, simple strategies, Farage’s latest project proved a great the Conservatives have held power for 59. The party has become a pragmatic vote-winning Labour lost every seat bar one to the SNP. These losses were compensated for with gains in undoing. The party’s electoral success ground to a halt in the 2015 general election when it success. Before Britain’s departure from the EU, the Brexit Party was the largest Party within machine, successful due to their flexible ideology and adaptability. Their leaders are famously London, Manchester, and other urban centres. Many seats once considered ‘safe’ by Labour lost 49 seats and was overtaken by the SNP as the UK’s third largest party. It floundered in the European Parliament, ironically. Not only does the Brexit Party advocate for Brexit, it influential within the Party (think Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchil or Boris Johnson). The are now up for grabs. The party benefited from vote-splitting between the Conservatives and subsequent elections, never winning more than 12 seats. advocates for a clean-break ‘hard Brexit’, meaning WTO trading terms if a free trade the Brexit Party, and thus has much to lose from an electoral pact between the two. Jeremy agreement cannot be reached. In order to secure a majority in favour of Brexit, the Brexit Conservatives sell themselves as the party of economic competence. The Liberal Democrats in our committee Corbyn’s position as leader of the Labour Party is weak, but remains tenable. Many of his MPs Party made an electoral pact with the Conservatives, whereby they agreed not to stand The Conservative Party has historically been divided on the issue of Europe, with a are growing frustrated with his placation on the issue of Brexit, and failure to combat The Liberal Democrats’ persistent pro-European message was successful in the 2019 general candidates in any Conservative seats. They did not, in reality, win any seats in 2019. Eurosceptic and a Europhilic wing. A strong eurosceptic faction, led by the ERG (European anti-Semitism in the party. election. They now have 33 MPs, most of whom have razor-thin majorities over the The Brexit Party in our committee Research Group) has traditionally been a formidable voting bloc within the Party, that has had second-placed Conservatives, and represent constituencies in the south-east of England and Scottish National Party great influence on policy. The split in the Conservative Party has often made the party in London’s leafy suburbs. The party’s leader Jo Swinson only just held onto her seat, with the Failing to make a pact with the Conservatives, the Brexit Party split the leave vote in many unmanageable. Founded in 1934, the Scottish National Party (SNP) advocates for Scotland to become a second-placed SNP a mere 100 votes behind. constituencies, depriving the Conservatives of their expected majority and drawing votes from completely independent, sovereign state. It is often described as being a broadly centre-left, Labour leave-voting seats alike. Despite this, they only managed to finish first in Hartlepool - The Conservatives in our committee Green Party social democratic party - but the party is home to people of a wide range of political opinion, returning their chairman Richard Tice as their sole MP. The Brexit Party did not support the The bong of Big Ben at 10pm, on the night of the last general election confirmed what Johnson united by a shared belief in Scottish nationalism. The Green Party was founded in 1990, and was largely irrelevant until 2010 when Caroline Withdrawal agreement, and will be working to ensure that the UK remains distant from EU most feared. The Conservatives are the largest party, but their majority is lost. With the Lucas was elected in Brighton as the party’s first ever MP. The Green Party is a left-wing, rules. The party rose to national prominence in 1974, when it won 11 seats in the House of Commons, greatest number of MPs, the Conservatives formed the new Government, led by Prime libertarian, environmentalist party which has at times been a home for hard-left Labour with a vote share of 30% in Scotland. In subsequent elections, the party’s support in Scotland Minister Boris Johnson. voters disenchanted by the party’s rightward shift under Tony Blair, but typically maintains declined until 1997, when the Scottish Parliament was established along with the devolved pockets of support in upper-middle class areas. The exception to this is Brighton, where While a disappointing election overall, there were some particularly great victories for the Scottish Government. The SNP gained seats in every subsequent election to the Scottish Caroline Lucas’ personal popularity has done much to broaden the party’s appeal. The Green Conservatives. While support lagged in the South of England and Scotland, the North of Parliament, overtaking the Scottish Labour Party in 2007 to become the largest party in the Party typically poll at 7% to 3%, meaning that under a system of proportional representation England saw a significant swing to the Conservatives. Labour’s ‘red wall’ of stronghold Scottish Parliament, with Alex Salmond becoming the First Minister. (He resigned from the Northern seats was smashed by new, first-time Members like Dehenna Davison in Bishop they could win up to 40 seats in the House of Commons. Auckland,Auckland, Sue HaymanSue Hayman in Workington, in Workington, and andperhaps perhaps most most shockingly shockingly Blyth Blyth Valley, Valley, where where Ian Ian SNP SNPin 2018 in 2018 following following accusations accusations of sexual of sexual misconduct, misconduct, and andhas sincehas since been been charged charged with with The GreensThe Greens in our in committeeour committee LevyLevy became became the constituency’sthe constituency’s first firstever everConservative Conservative MP. MP. countscounts of attempted of attempted ape andape andsexual sexual assault.) assault.) In 2011, In 2011, the SNPthe SNPwon wona majority a majority of seats of seats in the in the CarolineCaroline Lucas Lucas was wasre-elected re-elected with with a thumping a thumping majority majority in Brighton in Brighton at the at 2019the 2019 election, election, but but ScottishScottish Parliament, Parliament, calling calling for a for referendum a referendum to the to heldthe held on Scottish on Scottish independence, independence, which which BorisBoris Johnson’s Johnson’s message message of ‘Get of ‘GetBrexit Brexit Done’ Done’ got throughgot through to the to rightthe right people. people. A vote A vote in in the Greens’the Greens’ share share of the of votethe vote was waseaten eaten by the by Labourthe Labour Party Party and andthe Liberalthe Liberal Democrats Democrats in in happenedhappened in 2014. in 2014. Despite Despite Scottish Scottish voters voters opting opting to remain to remain part partof the of UKthe by UK a bymargin a margin of 55% of 55% ParliamentParliament immediately immediately following following the electionthe election allowed allowed the EUthe Withdrawal EU Withdrawal Agreement Agreement to pass, to pass, otherother areas, areas, falling falling to 3%. to 3%. to 45%,to 45%, the SNP’sthe SNP’s popularity popularity afterwards afterwards exploded, exploded, with with the partythe party (under (under the leadershipthe leadership of of and andthe UK’sthe UK’sexit dateexit date was wasset. set. NicolaNicola Sturgeon) Sturgeon) winning winning 56 of 56 the of 59the seats 59 seats in Scotland in Scotland in the in 2015the 2015 general general election. election. The IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change WithWith the executivethe executive but nobut majority, no majority, it is notit is easynot easy for the for Conservativesthe Conservatives to govern. to govern. Progress Progress on on The SNP’sThe SNP’s place place as the as mostthe most popular popular party party in Scotland in Scotland is now is nowcemented cemented largely largely at the at expensethe expense The IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change (TIGfC) (TIGfC) was wasa centrist a centrist party party founded founded in early in early 2019 2019 by a by a deliveringdelivering Brexit Brexit currently currently sees sees the Conservativesthe Conservatives riding riding high highover over Labour Labour in the in polls,the polls, but thebut the of theof once-dominantthe once-dominant Scottish Scottish Labour Labour Party, Party, which which was waspushed pushed to a tohumiliating a humiliating third third place place in in groupsgroups of MPs of MPsfrom from the Labourthe Labour Party Party and andthe Conservativethe Conservative Party Party who whohad hadbecome become pollspolls are notoriouslyare notoriously fickle. fickle. The Conservatives’The Conservatives’ handling handling of Britain’s of Britain’s post-Brexit post-Brexit free freetrade trade the 2016the 2016 Scottish Scottish Parliament Parliament election. election. The SNPThe SNPbenefits benefits more more than than most most from from the the disenchanteddisenchanted with with their their respective respective parties’ parties’ handling handling of Brexit. of Brexit. They They originally originally sat in sat Parliament in Parliament agreementsagreements and andmanagement management of the of country’sthe country’s finances finances will determinewill determine their their electoral electoral success. success. first-past-the-postfirst-past-the-post electoral electoral system, system, with with the majoritythe majority pro-UK pro-UK vote vote being being split split between between a a as a asloose a loose collective collective of independent of independent MPs MPsknown known as The as IndependentThe Independent Group Group (TIG), (TIG), but soonbut soon LabourLabour Party Party resurgentresurgent Scottish Scottish Conservative Conservative Party Party and anda flailing a flailing Scottish Scottish Labour Labour Party. Party. The largestThe largest formedformed a formal a formal party party known known as Change as Change UK. TheUK. launchThe launch of TIG of wasTIG wasa moderate a moderate success, success, electoralelectoral risk forrisk the for SNPthe SNPis the is party’sthe party’s 13-year 13-year record record in government. in government. Over-stretched Over-stretched public public garneringgarnering much much attention attention from from the media.the media. However, However, Change Change UK’s UK’slaunch launch was wasmet metwith with The LabourThe Labour Party Party is Britain's is Britain's largest largest left-wing left-wing party, party, a broad a broad coalition coalition of democratic of democratic socialists, socialists, servicesservices and anda skyrocketing a skyrocketing drug drug death death rate rateare onare the on mindsthe minds of many of many Scottish Scottish voters, voters, who who derisionderision from from some some who whofelt thatfelt thatthe party’sthe party’s message message was wasbecoming becoming confused. confused. These These socialsocial democrats, democrats, and andtrade trade unionists. unionists. It governed It governed Britain Britain for two for twoshort short periods periods in the in 1920s,the 1920s, couldcould grow grow fatigued fatigued and andopt foropt a for change a change of government. of government. problemsproblems would would continue. continue. The partyThe party contested contested the 2019the 2019 European European election election as Change as Change UK - UK - fromfrom 1945-1950 1945-1950 (as the (as party’sthe party’s first firstmajority majority government), government), from from 1964-1970, 1964-1970, from from 1974-1978, 1974-1978, The IndependentThe Independent Group Group (CUK-TIG) (CUK-TIG) but performedbut performed poorly, poorly, gaining gaining no MEPs. no MEPs. Following Following this, this, four four and andmost most recently recently from from 1997 1997 (when (when it won it wonthe largestthe largest majority majority in British in British political political history) history) to to The SNPThe SNPin our in committeeour committee of theof party’sthe party’s eleven eleven MPs MPsleft theleft partythe party to sit to as sit The as IndependentsThe Independents (TI), (TI),a new a newloose loose grouping grouping of of 2010.2010. Typically, Typically, Labour Labour governments governments have have aimed aimed to advance to advance worker’s worker’s rights, rights, reduce reduce The SNPThe SNPhad hada very a verygood good election, election, winning winning all but all threebut three of the of seatsthe seats in Scotland in Scotland and andalmost almost independentindependent MPs, MPs, while while two twodefected defected to the to Liberalthe Liberal Democrats. Democrats. Change Change UK was UK wasthen then socio-economicsocio-economic inequality, inequality, and andexpand expand the provisionthe provision of public of public services. services. Most Most would would agree agree wipingwiping out theout Scottishthe Scottish Labour Labour Party, Party, the Scottishthe Scottish Liberal Liberal Democrats, Democrats, and andthe Scottishthe Scottish threatenedthreatened with with a lawsuit a lawsuit by the by crowdfundingthe crowdfunding website website Change.org, Change.org, and andforced forced to change to change its its that thatthe party’sthe party’s most most significant significant achievement achievement to date to date is the is establishmentthe establishment of the of Nationalthe National ConservativeConservative Party Party in the in process.the process. The SNP’sThe SNP’s message message was wasclear clear - that - thatScotland Scotland did notdid votenot vote to to namename to The to IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change (TIGfC). (TIGfC). Three Three valiant valiant TIGfC TIGfC MPs MPsremained remained to to HealthHealth Service Service (NHS), (NHS), but othersbut others include include the passingthe passing of the of Equalitythe Equality Act 2010,Act 2010, the negotiationthe negotiation leaveleave the Europeanthe European Union Union in 2016, in 2016, and andthat thatin 2014 in 2014 it voted it voted to remain to remain part partof the of UKthe to UK to standstand in the in 2019the 2019 general general election, election, and and(in reality) (in reality) each each lost theirlost their seat. seat. of theof Goodthe Good Friday Friday Agreement, Agreement, and andthe establishmentthe establishment of the of Scottishthe Scottish Parliament Parliament and andWelsh Welsh guaranteeguarantee its place its place in the in EU.the EU. Assembly.Assembly. TIGfCTIGfC in our in committeeour committee LiberalLiberal Democrats Democrats LabourLabour members members are noare strangers no strangers to infighting to infighting and andfactionalism. factionalism. Most Most recently recently the partythe party has has DespiteDespite a gruelling a gruelling campaign campaign in which in which TIGFC TIGFC failed failed to sell to itssell vision its vision to the to electorate,the electorate, the the beenbeen divided divided over over Brexit, Brexit, with with the majoritythe majority of Labour’s of Labour’s members members supporting supporting a second a second The once-proudThe once-proud Liberal Liberal Democrats Democrats (Lib (LibDems) Dems) were were founded founded in 1988 in 1988 when when the Liberalthe Liberal Party Party partyparty returned returned its leader, its leader, Anna Anna Soubry Soubry as an as MP. an AMP. former A former Conservative Conservative MP who MP whodefected defected to to ConservativeConservative and andUnionist Unionist Party Party referendumreferendum on Britain's on Britain's membership membership of the of EUthe despite EU despite the factthe factthat thatmany many of the of party’sthe party’s MPs MPs (one(one of Britain’s of Britain’s oldest oldest political political parties, parties, originally originally known known as the as Whigs)the Whigs) merged merged with with the Socialthe Social join TIGFC,join TIGFC, Anna Anna is a fierceis a fierce defender defender of EU of membership, EU membership, and andwill fightwill fight Brexit Brexit all the all way,the way, most most The ConservativeThe Conservative and andUnionist Unionist Party Party (the (the‘Tories’), ‘Tories’), are theare UK’sthe UK’scentre-right centre-right party, party, guided guided by by representrepresent seats seats that thatvoted voted Leave. Leave. Additionally, Additionally, much much of the of party’sthe party’s history history has beenhas been DemocraticDemocratic Party Party (a splinter (a splinter group group formed formed in the in 1980sthe 1980s by disgruntled by disgruntled Labour Labour MPs). MPs). The The likelylikely advocating advocating for rejoining, for rejoining, or at or least at least a very a veryclose close UK-EU UK-EU relationship. relationship. dominateddominated by a bystruggle a struggle between between the ‘hard’the ‘hard’ left, left,the ‘soft’the ‘soft’ left, left,and andthe centre-left.the centre-left. LiberalLiberal Democrats Democrats have have traditionally traditionally advocated advocated social social liberalism liberalism and andare pro-market,are pro-market, but inbut in principlesprinciples of liberal of liberal economics, economics, a small a small State, State, low taxation,low taxation, enterprise enterprise and andnow, now, Brexit. Brexit. They They Brexit Brexit Party Party recentrecent years years their their politics politics have have come come to be to defined be defined by dogmatic by dogmatic opposition opposition to Britain's to Britain's are frequentlyare frequently described described as the as mostthe most successful successful political political party party in the in world,the world, due dueto their to their LabourLabour in our in committeeour committee relativerelative electoral electoral success success spanning spanning centuries. centuries. Its origins Its origins can becan traced be traced back back to a togroup a group that that departuredeparture from from the Europeanthe European Union. Union. Throughout Throughout the 1990sthe 1990s and and2000s, 2000s, the partythe party typically typically The BrexitThe Brexit Party Party was wasfounded founded in early in early 2019 2019 by firebrand by firebrand and andlong-term long-term Eurosceptic Eurosceptic Nigel Nigel sat insat parliament in parliament in the in 17ththe 17thcentury, century, known known as the as ‘Torythe ‘Tory group’, group’, who whoheld held power power in Queen in Queen The LabourThe Labour Party Party emerged emerged from from the 2019the 2019 general general election election shaken, shaken, but intact.but intact. Many Many seats seats in in won wonbetween between 40 and 40 and60 seats 60 seats in general in general elections. elections. In 2010, In 2010, the Liberalthe Liberal Democrats Democrats entered entered Farage.Farage. It quickly It quickly exploded exploded in popularity, in popularity, with with support support gained gained across across England England and andWales. Wales. With With Anne’sAnne’s final finalyears years of reign. of reign. Of the Of 91the years 91 years since since 1929, 1929, when when all adults all adults were were granted granted the vote,the vote, the norththe north of England of England held held by the by partythe party for decades for decades fell to fell the to Conservatives,the Conservatives, and andin Scotland in Scotland governmentgovernment for the for firstthe firsttime, time, joining joining the Conservativethe Conservative Party Party in a coalition.in a coalition. This Thiswould would be their be their a populista populist message message and andshrewd, shrewd, simple simple strategies, strategies, Farage’s Farage’s latest latest project project proved proved a great a great the Conservativesthe Conservatives have have held held power power for 59. for The 59. partyThe party has becomehas become a pragmatic a pragmatic vote-winning vote-winning LabourLabour lost everylost every seat seatbar onebar toone the to SNP.the SNP. These These losses losses were were compensated compensated for with for with gains gains in in undoing.undoing. The party’sThe party’s electoral electoral success success ground ground to a tohalt a haltin the in 2015the 2015 general general election election when when it it success.success. Before Before Britain’s Britain’s departure departure from from the EU,the theEU, Brexitthe Brexit Party Party was wasthe largestthe largest Party Party within within machine,machine, successful successful due dueto their to their flexible flexible ideology ideology and andadaptability. adaptability. Their Their leaders leaders are famouslyare famously London,London, Manchester, Manchester, and andother other urban urban centres. centres. Many Many seats seats once once considered considered ‘safe’ ‘safe’ by Labour by Labour lost 49lost seats 49 seats and andwas wasovertaken overtaken by the by SNPthe SNPas the as UK’sthe UK’sthird third largest largest party. party. It floundered It floundered in in the Europeanthe European Parliament, Parliament, ironically. ironically. Not onlyNot onlydoes does the Brexitthe Brexit Party Party advocate advocate for Brexit, for Brexit, it it influentialinfluential within within the Partythe Party (think (think Margaret Margaret Thatcher, Thatcher, Winston Winston Churchil Churchil or Boris or Boris Johnson). Johnson). The The are noware nowup for up grabs. for grabs. The partyThe party benefited benefited from from vote-splitting vote-splitting between between the Conservativesthe Conservatives and and subsequentsubsequent elections, elections, never never winning winning more more than than 12 seats. 12 seats. advocatesadvocates for a for clean-break a clean-break ‘hard ‘hard Brexit’, Brexit’, meaning meaning WTO WTO trading trading terms terms if a free if a freetrade trade the Brexitthe Brexit Party, Party, and andthus thus has muchhas much to lose to losefrom from an electoral an electoral pact pact between between the two.the two. Jeremy Jeremy agreementagreement cannot cannot be reached. be reached. In order In order to secure to secure a majority a majority in favour in favour of Brexit, of Brexit, the Brexitthe Brexit ConservativesConservatives sell themselvessell themselves as the as partythe party of economic of economic competence. competence. The LiberalThe Liberal Democrats Democrats in our in committeeour committee Corbyn’sCorbyn’s position position as leader as leader of the of Labourthe Labour Party Party is weak, is weak, but remainsbut remains tenable. tenable. Many Many of his of MPs his MPs PartyParty made made an electoral an electoral pact pact with with the Conservatives,the Conservatives, whereby whereby they they agreed agreed not tonot stand to stand The ConservativeThe Conservative Party Party has historicallyhas historically been been divided divided on the on issuethe issue of Europe, of Europe, with with a a are growingare growing frustrated frustrated with with his placation his placation on the on issuethe issue of Brexit, of Brexit, and andfailure failure to combat to combat The LiberalThe Liberal Democrats’ Democrats’ persistent persistent pro-European pro-European message message was wassuccessful successful in the in 2019the 2019 general general candidatescandidates in any in Conservativeany Conservative seats. seats. They They did not,did not,in reality, in reality, win anywin seatsany seats in 2019. in 2019. EuroscepticEurosceptic and anda Europhilic a Europhilic wing. wing. A strong A strong eurosceptic eurosceptic faction, faction, led by led the by ERGthe ERG(European (European anti-Semitismanti-Semitism in the in party.the party. election.election. They They now nowhave have 33 MPs, 33 MPs, most most of whom of whom have have razor-thin razor-thin majorities majorities over over the the The BrexitThe Brexit Party Party in our in committeeour committee ResearchResearch Group) Group) has traditionallyhas traditionally been been a formidable a formidable voting voting bloc bloc within within the Party,the Party, that thathas hadhas had second-placedsecond-placed Conservatives, Conservatives, and andrepresent represent constituencies constituencies in the in south-eastthe south-east of England of England and and ScottishScottish National National Party Party greatgreat influence influence on policy. on policy. The splitThe split in the in Conservativethe Conservative Party Party has oftenhas often made made the partythe party in London’sin London’s leafy leafy suburbs. suburbs. The party’sThe party’s leader leader Jo Swinson Jo Swinson only onlyjust heldjust held onto onto her seat,her seat, with with the the FailingFailing to make to make a pact a pact with with the Conservatives,the Conservatives, the Brexitthe Brexit Party Party split split the leavethe leave vote vote in many in many unmanageable.unmanageable. FoundedFounded in 1934, in 1934, the Scottishthe Scottish National National Party Party (SNP) (SNP) advocates advocates for Scotland for Scotland to become to become a a second-placedsecond-placed SNP SNPa mere a mere 100 100votes votes behind. behind. constituencies,constituencies, depriving depriving the Conservativesthe Conservatives of their of their expected expected majority majority and anddrawing drawing votes votes from from completelycompletely independent, independent, sovereign sovereign state. state. It is oftenIt is often described described as being as being a broadly a broadly centre-left, centre-left, LabourLabour leave-voting leave-voting seats seats alike. alike. Despite Despite this, this, they they only onlymanaged managed to finish to finish first firstin Hartlepool in Hartlepool - - The ConservativesThe Conservatives in our in committeeour committee GreenGreen Party Party socialsocial democratic democratic party party - but - thebut partythe party is home is home to people to people of a wideof a wide range range of political of political opinion, opinion, returningreturning their their chairman chairman Richard Richard Tice Ticeas their as their sole soleMP. TheMP. BrexitThe Brexit Party Party did notdid supportnot support the the The bongThe bong of Big of Ben Big Benat 10pm, at 10pm, on the on nightthe night of the of lastthe generallast general election election confirmed confirmed what what Johnson Johnson unitedunited by a byshared a shared belief belief in Scottish in Scottish nationalism. nationalism. The GreenThe Green Party Party was wasfounded founded in 1990, in 1990, and andwas waslargely largely irrelevant irrelevant until until 2010 2010 when when Caroline Caroline WithdrawalWithdrawal agreement, agreement, and andwill bewill working be working to ensure to ensure that thatthe UKthe remains UK remains distant distant from from EU EU mostmost feared. feared. The ConservativesThe Conservatives are theare largestthe largest party, party, but theirbut their majority majority is lost. is lost. With With the the LucasLucas was waselected elected in Brighton in Brighton as the as party’sthe party’s first firstever everMP. TheMP. GreenThe Green Party Party is a left-wing,is a left-wing, rules.rules. The partyThe party rose roseto national to national prominence prominence in 1974, in 1974, when when it won it won11 seats 11 seats in the in Housethe House of Commons, of Commons, greatestgreatest number number of MPs, of MPs, the Conservativesthe Conservatives formed formed the newthe newGovernment, Government, led by led Prime by Prime libertarian,libertarian, environmentalist environmentalist party party which which has athas times at times been been a home a home for hard-left for hard-left Labour Labour withwith a vote a vote share share of 30% of 30% in Scotland. in Scotland. In subsequent In subsequent elections, elections, the party’sthe party’s support support in Scotland in Scotland MinisterMinister Boris Boris Johnson. Johnson. votersvoters disenchanted disenchanted by the by party’sthe party’s rightward rightward shift shift under under Tony Tony Blair, Blair, but typicallybut typically maintains maintains declineddeclined until until 1997, 1997, when when the Scottishthe Scottish Parliament Parliament was wasestablished established along along with with the devolvedthe devolved pocketspockets of support of support in upper-middle in upper-middle class class areas. areas. The exceptionThe exception to this to isthis Brighton, is Brighton, where where WhileWhile a disappointing a disappointing election election overall, overall, there there were were some some particularly particularly great great victories victories for the for the ScottishScottish Government. Government. The SNPThe SNPgained gained seats seats in every in every subsequent subsequent election election to the to Scottishthe Scottish CarolineCaroline Lucas’ Lucas’ personal personal popularity popularity has donehas done much much to broaden to broaden the party’sthe party’s appeal. appeal. The GreenThe Green Conservatives.Conservatives. While While support support lagged lagged in the in Souththe South of England of England and andScotland, Scotland, the Norththe North of of Parliament,Parliament, overtaking overtaking the Scottishthe Scottish Labour Labour Party Party in 2007 in 2007 to become to become the largestthe largest party party in the in the PartyParty typically typically poll pollat 7% at to7% 3%, to 3%,meaning meaning that thatunder under a system a system of proportional of proportional representation representation EnglandEngland saw sawa significant a significant swing swing to the to Conservatives.the Conservatives. Labour’s Labour’s ‘red ‘redwall’ wall’ of stronghold of stronghold ScottishScottish Parliament, Parliament, with with Alex AlexSalmond Salmond becoming becoming the Firstthe First Minister. Minister. (He resigned(He resigned from from the the NorthernNorthern seats seats was wassmashed smashed by new, by new, first-time first-time Members Members like Dehennalike Dehenna Davison Davison in Bishop in Bishop theythey could could win upwin to up 40 to seats 40 seats in the in Housethe House of Commons. of Commons.

Leader of the SNP Nicola Sturgeon appears at the party’s conference. Auckland, Sue Hayman in Workington, and perhaps most shockingly Blyth Valley, where Ian SNP in 2018 following accusations of sexual misconduct, and has since been charged with The Greens in our committee Levy became the constituency’s first ever Conservative MP. counts of attempted ape and sexual assault.) In 2011, the SNP won a majority of seats in the Caroline Lucas was re-elected with a thumping majority in Brighton at the 2019 election, but Scottish Parliament, calling for a referendum to the held on Scottish independence, which Boris Johnson’s message of ‘Get Brexit Done’ got through to the right people. A vote in the Greens’ share of the vote was eaten by the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats in happened in 2014. Despite Scottish voters opting to remain part of the UK by a margin of 55% Parliament immediately following the election allowed the EU Withdrawal Agreement to pass, other areas, falling to 3%. to 45%, the SNP’s popularity afterwards exploded, with the party (under the leadership of and the UK’s exit date was set. Nicola Sturgeon) winning 56 of the 59 seats in Scotland in the 2015 general election. The Independent Group for Change With the executive but no majority, it is not easy for the Conservatives to govern. Progress on The SNP’s place as the most popular party in Scotland is now cemented largely at the expense The Independent Group for Change (TIGfC) was a centrist party founded in early 2019 by a delivering Brexit currently sees the Conservatives riding high over Labour in the polls, but the of the once-dominant Scottish Labour Party, which was pushed to a humiliating third place in groups of MPs from the Labour Party and the Conservative Party who had become polls are notoriously fickle. The Conservatives’ handling of Britain’s post-Brexit free trade the 2016 Scottish Parliament election. The SNP benefits more than most from the disenchanted with their respective parties’ handling of Brexit. They originally sat in Parliament agreements and management of the country’s finances will determine their electoral success. first-past-the-post electoral system, with the majority pro-UK vote being split between a as a loose collective of independent MPs known as The Independent Group (TIG), but soon Labour Party resurgent Scottish Conservative Party and a flailing Scottish Labour Party. The largest formed a formal party known as Change UK. The launch of TIG was a moderate success, electoral risk for the SNP is the party’s 13-year record in government. Over-stretched public garnering much attention from the media. However, Change UK’s launch was met with The Labour Party is Britain's largest left-wing party, a broad coalition of democratic socialists, services and a skyrocketing drug death rate are on the minds of many Scottish voters, who derision from some who felt that the party’s message was becoming confused. These social democrats, and trade unionists. It governed Britain for two short periods in the 1920s, could grow fatigued and opt for a change of government. problems would continue. The party contested the 2019 European election as Change UK - from 1945-1950 (as the party’s first majority government), from 1964-1970, from 1974-1978, The Independent Group (CUK-TIG) but performed poorly, gaining no MEPs. Following this, four and most recently from 1997 (when it won the largest majority in British political history) to The SNP in our committee of the party’s eleven MPs left the party to sit as The Independents (TI), a new loose grouping of 2010. Typically, Labour governments have aimed to advance worker’s rights, reduce The SNP had a very good election, winning all but three of the seats in Scotland and almost independent MPs, while two defected to the Liberal Democrats. Change UK was then socio-economic inequality, and expand the provision of public services. Most would agree wiping out the Scottish Labour Party, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish threatened with a lawsuit by the crowdfunding website Change.org, and forced to change its that the party’s most significant achievement to date is the establishment of the National Conservative Party in the process. The SNP’s message was clear - that Scotland did not vote to name to The Independent Group for Change (TIGfC). Three valiant TIGfC MPs remained to Health Service (NHS), but others include the passing of the Equality Act 2010, the negotiation leave the European Union in 2016, and that in 2014 it voted to remain part of the UK to stand in the 2019 general election, and (in reality) each lost their seat. of the Good Friday Agreement, and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh guarantee its place in the EU. Assembly. TIGfC in our committee Liberal Democrats Labour members are no strangers to infighting and factionalism. Most recently the party has Despite a gruelling campaign in which TIGFC failed to sell its vision to the electorate, the been divided over Brexit, with the majority of Labour’s members supporting a second The once-proud Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) were founded in 1988 when the Liberal Party party returned its leader, Anna Soubry as an MP. A former Conservative MP who defected to Conservative and Unionist Party referendum on Britain's membership of the EU despite the fact that many of the party’s MPs (one of Britain’s oldest political parties, originally known as the Whigs) merged with the Social join TIGFC, Anna is a fierce defender of EU membership, and will fight Brexit all the way, most The Conservative and Unionist Party (the ‘Tories’), are the UK’s centre-right party, guided by represent seats that voted Leave. Additionally, much of the party’s history has been Democratic Party (a splinter group formed in the 1980s by disgruntled Labour MPs). The likely advocating for rejoining, or at least a very close UK-EU relationship. dominated by a struggle between the ‘hard’ left, the ‘soft’ left, and the centre-left. Liberal Democrats have traditionally advocated social liberalism and are pro-market, but in principles of liberal economics, a small State, low taxation, enterprise and now, Brexit. They Brexit Party recent years their politics have come to be defined by dogmatic opposition to Britain's are frequently described as the most successful political party in the world, due to their Labour in our committee relative electoral success spanning centuries. Its origins can be traced back to a group that departure from the European Union. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the party typically The Brexit Party was founded in early 2019 by firebrand and long-term Eurosceptic Nigel sat in parliament in the 17th century, known as the ‘Tory group’, who held power in Queen The Labour Party emerged from the 2019 general election shaken, but intact. Many seats in won between 40 and 60 seats in general elections. In 2010, the Liberal Democrats entered Farage. It quickly exploded in popularity, with support gained across England and Wales. With Anne’s final years of reign. Of the 91 years since 1929, when all adults were granted the vote, the north of England held by the party for decades fell to the Conservatives, and in Scotland government for the first time, joining the Conservative Party in a coalition. This would be their a populist message and shrewd, simple strategies, Farage’s latest project proved a great the Conservatives have held power for 59. The party has become a pragmatic vote-winning Labour lost every seat bar one to the SNP. These losses were compensated for with gains in undoing. The party’s electoral success ground to a halt in the 2015 general election when it success. Before Britain’s departure from the EU, the Brexit Party was the largest Party within machine, successful due to their flexible ideology and adaptability. Their leaders are famously London, Manchester, and other urban centres. Many seats once considered ‘safe’ by Labour lost 49 seats and was overtaken by the SNP as the UK’s third largest party. It floundered in the European Parliament, ironically. Not only does the Brexit Party advocate for Brexit, it influential within the Party (think Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchil or Boris Johnson). The are now up for grabs. The party benefited from vote-splitting between the Conservatives and subsequent elections, never winning more than 12 seats. advocates for a clean-break ‘hard Brexit’, meaning WTO trading terms if a free trade the Brexit Party, and thus has much to lose from an electoral pact between the two. Jeremy agreement cannot be reached. In order to secure a majority in favour of Brexit, the Brexit Conservatives sell themselves as the party of economic competence. The Liberal Democrats in our committee Corbyn’s position as leader of the Labour Party is weak, but remains tenable. Many of his MPs Party made an electoral pact with the Conservatives, whereby they agreed not to stand The Conservative Party has historically been divided on the issue of Europe, with a are growing frustrated with his placation on the issue of Brexit, and failure to combat The Liberal Democrats’ persistent pro-European message was successful in the 2019 general candidates in any Conservative seats. They did not, in reality, win any seats in 2019. Eurosceptic and a Europhilic wing. A strong eurosceptic faction, led by the ERG (European anti-Semitism in the party. election. They now have 33 MPs, most of whom have razor-thin majorities over the The Brexit Party in our committee Research Group) has traditionally been a formidable voting bloc within the Party, that has had second-placed Conservatives, and represent constituencies in the south-east of England and Scottish National Party great influence on policy. The split in the Conservative Party has often made the party in London’s leafy suburbs. The party’s leader Jo Swinson only just held onto her seat, with the Failing to make a pact with the Conservatives, the Brexit Party split the leave vote in many unmanageable. Founded in 1934, the Scottish National Party (SNP) advocates for Scotland to become a second-placed SNP a mere 100 votes behind. constituencies, depriving the Conservatives of their expected majority and drawing votes from completely independent, sovereign state. It is often described as being a broadly centre-left, Labour leave-voting seats alike. Despite this, they only managed to finish first in Hartlepool - The Conservatives in our committee Green Party social democratic party - but the party is home to people of a wide range of political opinion, returning their chairman Richard Tice as their sole MP. The Brexit Party did not support the The bong of Big Ben at 10pm, on the night of the last general election confirmed what Johnson united by a shared belief in Scottish nationalism. The Green Party was founded in 1990, and was largely irrelevant until 2010 when Caroline Withdrawal agreement, and will be working to ensure that the UK remains distant from EU most feared. The Conservatives are the largest party, but their majority is lost. With the Lucas was elected in Brighton as the party’s first ever MP. The Green Party is a left-wing, rules. The party rose to national prominence in 1974, when it won 11 seats in the House of Commons, greatest number of MPs, the Conservatives formed the new Government, led by Prime libertarian, environmentalist party which has at times been a home for hard-left Labour with a vote share of 30% in Scotland. In subsequent elections, the party’s support in Scotland Minister Boris Johnson. voters disenchanted by the party’s rightward shift under Tony Blair, but typically maintains declined until 1997, when the Scottish Parliament was established along with the devolved pockets of support in upper-middle class areas. The exception to this is Brighton, where While a disappointing election overall, there were some particularly great victories for the Scottish Government. The SNP gained seats in every subsequent election to the Scottish Caroline Lucas’ personal popularity has done much to broaden the party’s appeal. The Green Conservatives. While support lagged in the South of England and Scotland, the North of Parliament, overtaking the Scottish Labour Party in 2007 to become the largest party in the Party typically poll at 7% to 3%, meaning that under a system of proportional representation England saw a significant swing to the Conservatives. Labour’s ‘red wall’ of stronghold Scottish Parliament, with Alex Salmond becoming the First Minister. (He resigned from the Northern seats was smashed by new, first-time Members like Dehenna Davison in Bishop they could win up to 40 seats in the House of Commons. Auckland,Auckland, Sue HaymanSue Hayman in Workington, in Workington, and andperhaps perhaps most most shockingly shockingly Blyth Blyth Valley, Valley, where where Ian Ian SNP SNPin 2018 in 2018 following following accusations accusations of sexual of sexual misconduct, misconduct, and andhas sincehas since been been charged charged with with The GreensThe Greens in our in committeeour committee LevyLevy became became the constituency’sthe constituency’s first firstever everConservative Conservative MP. MP. countscounts of attempted of attempted ape andape andsexual sexual assault.) assault.) In 2011, In 2011, the SNPthe SNPwon wona majority a majority of seats of seats in the in the CarolineCaroline Lucas Lucas was wasre-elected re-elected with with a thumping a thumping majority majority in Brighton in Brighton at the at 2019the 2019 election, election, but but ScottishScottish Parliament, Parliament, calling calling for a for referendum a referendum to the to heldthe held on Scottish on Scottish independence, independence, which which BorisBoris Johnson’s Johnson’s message message of ‘Get of ‘GetBrexit Brexit Done’ Done’ got throughgot through to the to rightthe right people. people. A vote A vote in in the Greens’the Greens’ share share of the of votethe vote was waseaten eaten by the by Labourthe Labour Party Party and andthe Liberalthe Liberal Democrats Democrats in in happenedhappened in 2014. in 2014. Despite Despite Scottish Scottish voters voters opting opting to remain to remain part partof the of UKthe by UK a bymargin a margin of 55% of 55% ParliamentParliament immediately immediately following following the electionthe election allowed allowed the EUthe Withdrawal EU Withdrawal Agreement Agreement to pass, to pass, otherother areas, areas, falling falling to 3%. to 3%. to 45%,to 45%, the SNP’sthe SNP’s popularity popularity afterwards afterwards exploded, exploded, with with the partythe party (under (under the leadershipthe leadership of of and andthe UK’sthe UK’sexit dateexit date was wasset. set. NicolaNicola Sturgeon) Sturgeon) winning winning 56 of 56 the of 59the seats 59 seats in Scotland in Scotland in the in 2015the 2015 general general election. election. The IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change WithWith the executivethe executive but nobut majority, no majority, it is notit is easynot easy for the for Conservativesthe Conservatives to govern. to govern. Progress Progress on on The SNP’sThe SNP’s place place as the as mostthe most popular popular party party in Scotland in Scotland is now is nowcemented cemented largely largely at the at expensethe expense The IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change (TIGfC) (TIGfC) was wasa centrist a centrist party party founded founded in early in early 2019 2019 by a by a deliveringdelivering Brexit Brexit currently currently sees sees the Conservativesthe Conservatives riding riding high highover over Labour Labour in the in polls,the polls, but thebut the of theof once-dominantthe once-dominant Scottish Scottish Labour Labour Party, Party, which which was waspushed pushed to a tohumiliating a humiliating third third place place in in groupsgroups of MPs of MPsfrom from the Labourthe Labour Party Party and andthe Conservativethe Conservative Party Party who whohad hadbecome become pollspolls are notoriouslyare notoriously fickle. fickle. The Conservatives’The Conservatives’ handling handling of Britain’s of Britain’s post-Brexit post-Brexit free freetrade trade the 2016the 2016 Scottish Scottish Parliament Parliament election. election. The SNPThe SNPbenefits benefits more more than than most most from from the the disenchanteddisenchanted with with their their respective respective parties’ parties’ handling handling of Brexit. of Brexit. They They originally originally sat in sat Parliament in Parliament agreementsagreements and andmanagement management of the of country’sthe country’s finances finances will determinewill determine their their electoral electoral success. success. first-past-the-postfirst-past-the-post electoral electoral system, system, with with the majoritythe majority pro-UK pro-UK vote vote being being split split between between a a as a asloose a loose collective collective of independent of independent MPs MPsknown known as The as IndependentThe Independent Group Group (TIG), (TIG), but soonbut soon LabourLabour Party Party resurgentresurgent Scottish Scottish Conservative Conservative Party Party and anda flailing a flailing Scottish Scottish Labour Labour Party. Party. The largestThe largest formedformed a formal a formal party party known known as Change as Change UK. TheUK. launchThe launch of TIG of wasTIG wasa moderate a moderate success, success, electoralelectoral risk forrisk the for SNPthe SNPis the is party’sthe party’s 13-year 13-year record record in government. in government. Over-stretched Over-stretched public public garneringgarnering much much attention attention from from the media.the media. However, However, Change Change UK’s UK’slaunch launch was wasmet metwith with The LabourThe Labour Party Party is Britain's is Britain's largest largest left-wing left-wing party, party, a broad a broad coalition coalition of democratic of democratic socialists, socialists, servicesservices and anda skyrocketing a skyrocketing drug drug death death rate rateare onare the on mindsthe minds of many of many Scottish Scottish voters, voters, who who derisionderision from from some some who whofelt thatfelt thatthe party’sthe party’s message message was wasbecoming becoming confused. confused. These These socialsocial democrats, democrats, and andtrade trade unionists. unionists. It governed It governed Britain Britain for two for twoshort short periods periods in the in 1920s,the 1920s, couldcould grow grow fatigued fatigued and andopt foropt a for change a change of government. of government. problemsproblems would would continue. continue. The partyThe party contested contested the 2019the 2019 European European election election as Change as Change UK - UK - fromfrom 1945-1950 1945-1950 (as the (as party’sthe party’s first firstmajority majority government), government), from from 1964-1970, 1964-1970, from from 1974-1978, 1974-1978, The IndependentThe Independent Group Group (CUK-TIG) (CUK-TIG) but performedbut performed poorly, poorly, gaining gaining no MEPs. no MEPs. Following Following this, this, four four and andmost most recently recently from from 1997 1997 (when (when it won it wonthe largestthe largest majority majority in British in British political political history) history) to to The SNPThe SNPin our in committeeour committee of theof party’sthe party’s eleven eleven MPs MPsleft theleft partythe party to sit to as sit The as IndependentsThe Independents (TI), (TI),a new a newloose loose grouping grouping of of 2010.2010. Typically, Typically, Labour Labour governments governments have have aimed aimed to advance to advance worker’s worker’s rights, rights, reduce reduce The SNPThe SNPhad hada very a verygood good election, election, winning winning all but all threebut three of the of seatsthe seats in Scotland in Scotland and andalmost almost independentindependent MPs, MPs, while while two twodefected defected to the to Liberalthe Liberal Democrats. Democrats. Change Change UK was UK wasthen then socio-economicsocio-economic inequality, inequality, and andexpand expand the provisionthe provision of public of public services. services. Most Most would would agree agree wipingwiping out theout Scottishthe Scottish Labour Labour Party, Party, the Scottishthe Scottish Liberal Liberal Democrats, Democrats, and andthe Scottishthe Scottish threatenedthreatened with with a lawsuit a lawsuit by the by crowdfundingthe crowdfunding website website Change.org, Change.org, and andforced forced to change to change its its that thatthe party’sthe party’s most most significant significant achievement achievement to date to date is the is establishmentthe establishment of the of Nationalthe National ConservativeConservative Party Party in the in process.the process. The SNP’sThe SNP’s message message was wasclear clear - that - thatScotland Scotland did notdid votenot vote to to namename to The to IndependentThe Independent Group Group for Change for Change (TIGfC). (TIGfC). Three Three valiant valiant TIGfC TIGfC MPs MPsremained remained to to HealthHealth Service Service (NHS), (NHS), but othersbut others include include the passingthe passing of the of Equalitythe Equality Act 2010,Act 2010, the negotiationthe negotiation leaveleave the Europeanthe European Union Union in 2016, in 2016, and andthat thatin 2014 in 2014 it voted it voted to remain to remain part partof the of UKthe to UK to standstand in the in 2019the 2019 general general election, election, and and(in reality) (in reality) each each lost theirlost their seat. seat. of theof Goodthe Good Friday Friday Agreement, Agreement, and andthe establishmentthe establishment of the of Scottishthe Scottish Parliament Parliament and andWelsh Welsh guaranteeguarantee its place its place in the in EU.the EU. Assembly.Assembly. TIGfCTIGfC in our in committeeour committee LiberalLiberal Democrats Democrats LabourLabour members members are noare strangers no strangers to infighting to infighting and andfactionalism. factionalism. Most Most recently recently the partythe party has has DespiteDespite a gruelling a gruelling campaign campaign in which in which TIGFC TIGFC failed failed to sell to itssell vision its vision to the to electorate,the electorate, the the beenbeen divided divided over over Brexit, Brexit, with with the majoritythe majority of Labour’s of Labour’s members members supporting supporting a second a second The once-proudThe once-proud Liberal Liberal Democrats Democrats (Lib (LibDems) Dems) were were founded founded in 1988 in 1988 when when the Liberalthe Liberal Party Party partyparty returned returned its leader, its leader, Anna Anna Soubry Soubry as an as MP. an AMP. former A former Conservative Conservative MP who MP whodefected defected to to ConservativeConservative and andUnionist Unionist Party Party referendumreferendum on Britain's on Britain's membership membership of the of EUthe despite EU despite the factthe factthat thatmany many of the of party’sthe party’s MPs MPs (one(one of Britain’s of Britain’s oldest oldest political political parties, parties, originally originally known known as the as Whigs)the Whigs) merged merged with with the Socialthe Social join TIGFC,join TIGFC, Anna Anna is a fierceis a fierce defender defender of EU of membership, EU membership, and andwill fightwill fight Brexit Brexit all the all way,the way, most most The ConservativeThe Conservative and andUnionist Unionist Party Party (the (the‘Tories’), ‘Tories’), are theare UK’sthe UK’scentre-right centre-right party, party, guided guided by by representrepresent seats seats that thatvoted voted Leave. Leave. Additionally, Additionally, much much of the of party’sthe party’s history history has beenhas been DemocraticDemocratic Party Party (a splinter (a splinter group group formed formed in the in 1980sthe 1980s by disgruntled by disgruntled Labour Labour MPs). MPs). The The likelylikely advocating advocating for rejoining, for rejoining, or at or least at least a very a veryclose close UK-EU UK-EU relationship. relationship. dominateddominated by a bystruggle a struggle between between the ‘hard’the ‘hard’ left, left,the ‘soft’the ‘soft’ left, left,and andthe centre-left.the centre-left. LiberalLiberal Democrats Democrats have have traditionally traditionally advocated advocated social social liberalism liberalism and andare pro-market,are pro-market, but inbut in principlesprinciples of liberal of liberal economics, economics, a small a small State, State, low taxation,low taxation, enterprise enterprise and andnow, now, Brexit. Brexit. They They Brexit Brexit Party Party recentrecent years years their their politics politics have have come come to be to defined be defined by dogmatic by dogmatic opposition opposition to Britain's to Britain's are frequentlyare frequently described described as the as mostthe most successful successful political political party party in the in world,the world, due dueto their to their LabourLabour in our in committeeour committee relativerelative electoral electoral success success spanning spanning centuries. centuries. Its origins Its origins can becan traced be traced back back to a togroup a group that that departuredeparture from from the Europeanthe European Union. Union. Throughout Throughout the 1990sthe 1990s and and2000s, 2000s, the partythe party typically typically The BrexitThe Brexit Party Party was wasfounded founded in early in early 2019 2019 by firebrand by firebrand and andlong-term long-term Eurosceptic Eurosceptic Nigel Nigel sat insat parliament in parliament in the in 17ththe 17thcentury, century, known known as the as ‘Torythe ‘Tory group’, group’, who whoheld held power power in Queen in Queen The LabourThe Labour Party Party emerged emerged from from the 2019the 2019 general general election election shaken, shaken, but intact.but intact. Many Many seats seats in in won wonbetween between 40 and 40 and60 seats 60 seats in general in general elections. elections. In 2010, In 2010, the Liberalthe Liberal Democrats Democrats entered entered Farage.Farage. It quickly It quickly exploded exploded in popularity, in popularity, with with support support gained gained across across England England and andWales. Wales. With With Anne’sAnne’s final finalyears years of reign. of reign. Of the Of 91the years 91 years since since 1929, 1929, when when all adults all adults were were granted granted the vote,the vote, the norththe north of England of England held held by the by partythe party for decades for decades fell to fell the to Conservatives,the Conservatives, and andin Scotland in Scotland governmentgovernment for the for firstthe firsttime, time, joining joining the Conservativethe Conservative Party Party in a coalition.in a coalition. This Thiswould would be their be their a populista populist message message and andshrewd, shrewd, simple simple strategies, strategies, Farage’s Farage’s latest latest project project proved proved a great a great the Conservativesthe Conservatives have have held held power power for 59. for The 59. partyThe party has becomehas become a pragmatic a pragmatic vote-winning vote-winning LabourLabour lost everylost every seat seatbar onebar toone the to SNP.the SNP. These These losses losses were were compensated compensated for with for with gains gains in in undoing.undoing. The party’sThe party’s electoral electoral success success ground ground to a tohalt a haltin the in 2015the 2015 general general election election when when it it success.success. Before Before Britain’s Britain’s departure departure from from the EU,the theEU, Brexitthe Brexit Party Party was wasthe largestthe largest Party Party within within machine,machine, successful successful due dueto their to their flexible flexible ideology ideology and andadaptability. adaptability. Their Their leaders leaders are famouslyare famously London,London, Manchester, Manchester, and andother other urban urban centres. centres. Many Many seats seats once once considered considered ‘safe’ ‘safe’ by Labour by Labour lost 49lost seats 49 seats and andwas wasovertaken overtaken by the by SNPthe SNPas the as UK’sthe UK’sthird third largest largest party. party. It floundered It floundered in in the Europeanthe European Parliament, Parliament, ironically. ironically. Not onlyNot onlydoes does the Brexitthe Brexit Party Party advocate advocate for Brexit, for Brexit, it it influentialinfluential within within the Partythe Party (think (think Margaret Margaret Thatcher, Thatcher, Winston Winston Churchil Churchil or Boris or Boris Johnson). Johnson). The The are noware nowup for up grabs. for grabs. The partyThe party benefited benefited from from vote-splitting vote-splitting between between the Conservativesthe Conservatives and and subsequentsubsequent elections, elections, never never winning winning more more than than 12 seats. 12 seats. advocatesadvocates for a for clean-break a clean-break ‘hard ‘hard Brexit’, Brexit’, meaning meaning WTO WTO trading trading terms terms if a free if a freetrade trade the Brexitthe Brexit Party, Party, and andthus thus has muchhas much to lose to losefrom from an electoral an electoral pact pact between between the two.the two. Jeremy Jeremy agreementagreement cannot cannot be reached. be reached. In order In order to secure to secure a majority a majority in favour in favour of Brexit, of Brexit, the Brexitthe Brexit ConservativesConservatives sell themselvessell themselves as the as partythe party of economic of economic competence. competence. The LiberalThe Liberal Democrats Democrats in our in committeeour committee Corbyn’sCorbyn’s position position as leader as leader of the of Labourthe Labour Party Party is weak, is weak, but remainsbut remains tenable. tenable. Many Many of his of MPs his MPs PartyParty made made an electoral an electoral pact pact with with the Conservatives,the Conservatives, whereby whereby they they agreed agreed not tonot stand to stand The ConservativeThe Conservative Party Party has historicallyhas historically been been divided divided on the on issuethe issue of Europe, of Europe, with with a a are growingare growing frustrated frustrated with with his placation his placation on the on issuethe issue of Brexit, of Brexit, and andfailure failure to combat to combat The LiberalThe Liberal Democrats’ Democrats’ persistent persistent pro-European pro-European message message was wassuccessful successful in the in 2019the 2019 general general candidatescandidates in any in Conservativeany Conservative seats. seats. They They did not,did not,in reality, in reality, win anywin seatsany seats in 2019. in 2019. EuroscepticEurosceptic and anda Europhilic a Europhilic wing. wing. A strong A strong eurosceptic eurosceptic faction, faction, led by led the by ERGthe ERG(European (European anti-Semitismanti-Semitism in the in party.the party. election.election. They They now nowhave have 33 MPs, 33 MPs, most most of whom of whom have have razor-thin razor-thin majorities majorities over over the the The BrexitThe Brexit Party Party in our in committeeour committee ResearchResearch Group) Group) has traditionallyhas traditionally been been a formidable a formidable voting voting bloc bloc within within the Party,the Party, that thathas hadhas had second-placedsecond-placed Conservatives, Conservatives, and andrepresent represent constituencies constituencies in the in south-eastthe south-east of England of England and and ScottishScottish National National Party Party greatgreat influence influence on policy. on policy. The splitThe split in the in Conservativethe Conservative Party Party has oftenhas often made made the partythe party in London’sin London’s leafy leafy suburbs. suburbs. The party’sThe party’s leader leader Jo Swinson Jo Swinson only onlyjust heldjust held onto onto her seat,her seat, with with the the FailingFailing to make to make a pact a pact with with the Conservatives,the Conservatives, the Brexitthe Brexit Party Party split split the leavethe leave vote vote in many in many unmanageable.unmanageable. FoundedFounded in 1934, in 1934, the Scottishthe Scottish National National Party Party (SNP) (SNP) advocates advocates for Scotland for Scotland to become to become a a second-placedsecond-placed SNP SNPa mere a mere 100 100votes votes behind. behind. constituencies,constituencies, depriving depriving the Conservativesthe Conservatives of their of their expected expected majority majority and anddrawing drawing votes votes from from completelycompletely independent, independent, sovereign sovereign state. state. It is oftenIt is often described described as being as being a broadly a broadly centre-left, centre-left, LabourLabour leave-voting leave-voting seats seats alike. alike. Despite Despite this, this, they they only onlymanaged managed to finish to finish first firstin Hartlepool in Hartlepool - - The ConservativesThe Conservatives in our in committeeour committee GreenGreen Party Party socialsocial democratic democratic party party - but - thebut partythe party is home is home to people to people of a wideof a wide range range of political of political opinion, opinion, returningreturning their their chairman chairman Richard Richard Tice Ticeas their as their sole soleMP. TheMP. BrexitThe Brexit Party Party did notdid supportnot support the the The bongThe bong of Big of Ben Big Benat 10pm, at 10pm, on the on nightthe night of the of lastthe generallast general election election confirmed confirmed what what Johnson Johnson unitedunited by a byshared a shared belief belief in Scottish in Scottish nationalism. nationalism. The GreenThe Green Party Party was wasfounded founded in 1990, in 1990, and andwas waslargely largely irrelevant irrelevant until until 2010 2010 when when Caroline Caroline WithdrawalWithdrawal agreement, agreement, and andwill bewill working be working to ensure to ensure that thatthe UKthe remains UK remains distant distant from from EU EU mostmost feared. feared. The ConservativesThe Conservatives are theare largestthe largest party, party, but theirbut their majority majority is lost. is lost. With With the the LucasLucas was waselected elected in Brighton in Brighton as the as party’sthe party’s first firstever everMP. TheMP. GreenThe Green Party Party is a left-wing,is a left-wing, rules.rules. The partyThe party rose roseto national to national prominence prominence in 1974, in 1974, when when it won it won11 seats 11 seats in the in Housethe House of Commons, of Commons, greatestgreatest number number of MPs, of MPs, the Conservativesthe Conservatives formed formed the newthe newGovernment, Government, led by led Prime by Prime libertarian,libertarian, environmentalist environmentalist party party which which has athas times at times been been a home a home for hard-left for hard-left Labour Labour withwith a vote a vote share share of 30% of 30% in Scotland. in Scotland. In subsequent In subsequent elections, elections, the party’sthe party’s support support in Scotland in Scotland MinisterMinister Boris Boris Johnson. Johnson. votersvoters disenchanted disenchanted by the by party’sthe party’s rightward rightward shift shift under under Tony Tony Blair, Blair, but typicallybut typically maintains maintains declineddeclined until until 1997, 1997, when when the Scottishthe Scottish Parliament Parliament was wasestablished established along along with with the devolvedthe devolved pocketspockets of support of support in upper-middle in upper-middle class class areas. areas. The exceptionThe exception to this to isthis Brighton, is Brighton, where where WhileWhile a disappointing a disappointing election election overall, overall, there there were were some some particularly particularly great great victories victories for the for the ScottishScottish Government. Government. The SNPThe SNPgained gained seats seats in every in every subsequent subsequent election election to the to Scottishthe Scottish CarolineCaroline Lucas’ Lucas’ personal personal popularity popularity has donehas done much much to broaden to broaden the party’sthe party’s appeal. appeal. The GreenThe Green Conservatives.Conservatives. While While support support lagged lagged in the in Souththe South of England of England and andScotland, Scotland, the Norththe North of of Parliament,Parliament, overtaking overtaking the Scottishthe Scottish Labour Labour Party Party in 2007 in 2007 to become to become the largestthe largest party party in the in the PartyParty typically typically poll pollat 7% at to7% 3%, to 3%,meaning meaning that thatunder under a system a system of proportional of proportional representation representation EnglandEngland saw sawa significant a significant swing swing to the to Conservatives.the Conservatives. Labour’s Labour’s ‘red ‘redwall’ wall’ of stronghold of stronghold ScottishScottish Parliament, Parliament, with with Alex AlexSalmond Salmond becoming becoming the Firstthe First Minister. Minister. (He resigned(He resigned from from the the NorthernNorthern seats seats was wassmashed smashed by new, by new, first-time first-time Members Members like Dehennalike Dehenna Davison Davison in Bishop in Bishop theythey could could win upwin to up 40 to seats 40 seats in the in Housethe House of Commons. of Commons.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage appears at one of the party’s rallies. Topic No. 1 Free Trade Agreement

Britain has left the European Union. It is up to MPs to decide the future of the ‘special relationship’.

Free from EU rules on trade, the Government is keen to negotiate a trade deal with one of Britain’s oldest allies - the United States of America. Some are concerned that the UK may have to make concessions that are unacceptable to British voters to secure a free trade agreement (FTA) with the USA. Others disagree, seeing an FTA as a great opportunity for British businesses. This topic will introduce to the House a draft FTA that has already been negotiated by the UK and the USA. The deal is not final. Members may amend it, give it their blessing, or (if they consider it beyond saving) argue for its rejection by the House. This debate will take place at the second reading of the FTA, meaning that it has once before been considered by the House. Typically, MPs decide whether a Bill is worth debating at its first reading, and debate it at its second. Amendments are made and, if passed, the Bill will return to the House for a third reading where it will be put to a final vote. If passed by a simple majority at its third reading, the Bill becomes law. The UK-US free trade agreement The USA and UK agree to: 1. Zero tariffs on all goods, 2. Zero discriminatory non-tariff barriers, including no restrictions on the short-term entry of businesspeople, 3. Zero non-tariff barriers based on unsubstantiated national security concerns, 4. Zero restrictions on competition for the private provision of government services, 5. Zero restrictions on foreign direct investment, 6. Zero restrictions on the transfer of data, 7. Elimination to the greatest possible extent of barriers to customs clearance, 8. Preclusion of the adoption of anti-dumping measures, 9. Minimum divergence on regulatory standards. Topic No. 1 Free Trade Agreement

Britain has left the European Union. It is up to MPs to decide the future of the ‘special relationship’.

Free from EU rules on trade, the Government is keen to negotiate a trade deal with one of Britain’s oldest allies - the United States of America. Some are concerned that the UK may have to make concessions that are unacceptable to British voters to secure a free trade agreement (FTA) with the USA. Others disagree, seeing an FTA as a great opportunity for British businesses. This topic will introduce to the House a draft FTA that has already been negotiated by the UK and the USA. The deal is not final. Members may amend it, give it their blessing, or (if they consider it beyond saving) argue for its rejection by the House. This debate will take place at the second reading of the FTA, meaning that it has once before been considered by the House. Typically, MPs decide whether a Bill is worth debating at its first reading, and debate it at its second. Amendments are made and, if passed, the Bill will return to the House for a third reading where it will be put to a final vote. If passed by a simple majority at its third reading, the Bill becomes law. The UK-US free trade agreement The USA and UK agree to: 1. Zero tariffs on all goods, 2. Zero discriminatory non-tariff barriers, including no restrictions on the short-term entry of businesspeople, 3. Zero non-tariff barriers based on unsubstantiated national security concerns, 4. Zero restrictions on competition for the private provision of government services, 5. Zero restrictions on foreign direct investment, 6. Zero restrictions on the transfer of data, 7. Elimination to the greatest possible extent of barriers to customs clearance, 8. Preclusion of the adoption of anti-dumping measures, 9. Minimum divergence on regulatory standards.

Theresa May and Donald Trump appear together at a press conference in 2019. Topic No. 2 Emergency Budget

Health, education, transport, defence, justice, or housing; what are the Government’s post-Brexit priorities?

The Budget, which sets out the Government’s spending plans, is the most important piece of legislation that the House will pass each year. As with any other bill it must be presented in the House, debated, and put to a vote. If it fails to pass, a general election is called automatically as funding for public services will dry up and the Government will be unable to govern. It is therefore a crucial test of a party’s loyalty to its leader. For this topic, Members will not be provided with a template. It is up to the Government to write and present a budget during a recess (which other committees might call an ‘unmoderated caucus’). If your allocated MP is part of the governing party you may bring pre-written clauses to ScotMUN to speed up the process. It is vital that the Opposition be given time to scrutinise the Budget; they must be ready to question the Chancellor on every aspect of it. Remember - the British public is watching. This Budget will be specific to measures that the Government can introduce in the months following Britain’s departure from the EU. It will seek to - in the words of Boris Johnson - ‘unleash Britain’s potential’ and ensure a strong, viable economy going forward. The Prime Minister will be keen to invest in regions that voted Leave in 2016, thereby shoring up his party’s newfound support. Opposition parties will be sure to scrutinise the Government’s tax plans, fearful of a ‘race to the bottom’ on worker’s rights, corporation tax, and environmental regulations. It is crucial that each Member has a good knowledge of their party’s and their constituency’s priorities. The Budget should be written in a similar format to any other MUN resolution. The debate on the Budget will be fairly unstructured. Members must simply rise (if able to do so) to indicate to the Speaker that they wish to speak. Speaking time will be unlimited, but if the Speaker feels that the speaking Member has gone off-piste or has taken too much time they will end the Member’s speech. Topic No. 2 Emergency Budget

Health, education, transport, defence, justice, or housing; what are the Government’s post-Brexit priorities?

The Budget, which sets out the Government’s spending plans, is the most important piece of legislation that the House will pass each year. As with any other bill it must be presented in the House, debated, and put to a vote. If it fails to pass, a general election is called automatically as funding for public services will dry up and the Government will be unable to govern. It is therefore a crucial test of a party’s loyalty to its leader. For this topic, Members will not be provided with a template. It is up to the Government to write and present a budget during a recess (which other committees might call an ‘unmoderated caucus’). If your allocated MP is part of the governing party you may bring pre-written clauses to ScotMUN to speed up the process. It is vital that the Opposition be given time to scrutinise the Budget; they must be ready to question the Chancellor on every aspect of it. Remember - the British public is watching. This Budget will be specific to measures that the Government can introduce in the months following Britain’s departure from the EU. It will seek to - in the words of Boris Johnson - ‘unleash Britain’s potential’ and ensure a strong, viable economy going forward. The Prime Minister will be keen to invest in regions that voted Leave in 2016, thereby shoring up his party’s newfound support. Opposition parties will be sure to scrutinise the Government’s tax plans, fearful of a ‘race to the bottom’ on worker’s rights, corporation tax, and environmental regulations. It is crucial that each Member has a good knowledge of their party’s and their constituency’s priorities. The Budget should be written in a similar format to any other MUN resolution. The debate on the Budget will be fairly unstructured. Members must simply rise (if able to do so) to indicate to the Speaker that they wish to speak. Speaking time will be unlimited, but if the Speaker feels that the speaking Member has gone off-piste or has taken too much time they will end the Member’s speech.

Former Chancellor Philip Hammond holds up the famous ‘Budget box’ containing his notes. It is easy to get lost in the drama of the House, but the least assuming debates are often the most important.

Every MP has their own passions, and each represents a different part of the United Kingdom. Private Members’ Bills (PMBs) are a mechanism for backbench MPs to turn these passions into law. Most Bills are introduced to the House by a minister on behalf of the Government. PMBs, however, can be introduced by any Member. It can be difficult for PMBs to pass, as they enter the House without the support of the governing party. PMBs that gain cross-party support give MPs the power to legislate on issues that would otherwise have been overlooked. PMBs that do not gain support from the Government are still worthwhile, however. Even if they fail, they raise the prominence of the issue at hand and can be integrated into legislation later proposed by the Government. For example, a 2017 PMB introduced by Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse that would have made ‘upskirting’ (the surreptitious taking of sexually intrusive images) a criminal offence gained support from the Government, but was blocked by backbench Conservative MP Christopher Chope. The Bill was later re-introduced by the Government and passed with a thumping majority. You may choose to introduce a short PMB on any topic you wish. It could be something very specific to your constituency, or something very close to your heart. A period of roughly two hours will be set aside to debate PMBs from all Members, which will proceed as it would with any bill. Please submit your PMBs in the following format: ‘Submitted by: Harry Fletcher MP, Peterborough, Conservative. Title: Commonwealth (Citizenship) Bill 2020. A Bill to: Extend the offer of British citizenship to all citizens of Commonwealth member-states who wish to receive it and contribute to life in the United Kingdom.’ It is easy to get lost in the drama of the House, but the least assuming debates are often the most important.

Every MP has their own passions, and each represents a different part of the United Kingdom. Private Members’ Bills (PMBs) are a mechanism for backbench MPs to turn these passions into law. Most Bills are introduced to the House by a minister on behalf of the Government. PMBs, however, can be introduced by any Member. It can be difficult for PMBs to pass, as they enter the House without the support of the governing party. PMBs that gain cross-party support give MPs the power to legislate on issues that would otherwise have been overlooked. PMBs that do not gain support from the Government are still worthwhile, however. Even if they fail, they raise the prominence of the issue at hand and can be integrated into legislation later proposed by the Government. For example, a 2017 PMB introduced by Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse that would have made ‘upskirting’ (the surreptitious taking of sexually intrusive images) a criminal offence gained support from the Government, but was blocked by backbench Conservative MP Christopher Chope. The Bill was later re-introduced by the Government and passed with a thumping majority. You may choose to introduce a short PMB on any topic you wish. It could be something very specific to your constituency, or something very close to your heart. A period of roughly two hours will be set aside to debate PMBs from all Members, which will proceed as it would with any bill. Please submit your PMBs in the following format: ‘Submitted by: Harry Fletcher MP, Peterborough, Conservative. Title: Commonwealth (Citizenship) Bill 2020. A Bill to: Extend the offer of British citizenship to all citizens of Commonwealth member-states who wish to receive it and contribute to life in the United Kingdom.’

Acts of Parliament sit in the Parliamentary Archive. Appendix: Table, Map, and Composition

The following pages contain information on the initial structure of our committee.

These diagrams will give you information about our committee’s specific structure at the beginning of the session. Be aware, though - MPs are free to change party as they wish (as outlined in Section 2: Rules of Procedure) and so the structure of the committee may change. Additionally, if a general election is called, each party’s share of seats is subject to change. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker will provide the committee with up-to-date information on these changes.

Map of constituencies

The UK is divided into 650 parliamentary constituencies, each home to roughtly 70,000 people. The map opposite shows the location of each constituency represented in our com- mittee. Although our committee contains only a small number of MPs representing English and Scottish constituencies, it is important to consider the implications of your decisions for the whole of the UK.

Diagram of the composition of the House

The top diagram shows the composition of the House of Commons as a whole, and the bottom diagram shows the composition of our committee. The wider composition of the House has been given to you to provide political context. Only the Members present in our committee will be permitted to vote.

List of Members of the House

These lists show every Member represented in our committee, their party, their constituency, and their formal role(s). If they have no official role, they are a backbench MP. Conservative and Unionist Party Labour Party Scottish National Party 1 Liberal Democrats Independent 2 3 Green Party Independent Group for Change 4 Brexit Party 5 6 7 8 9

10

11 12

13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

36 37 38 39 40

1 - Ross, Skye, and Lochaber 21 - South Northamptonshire 2 - East Dunbartonshire 22 - Witham 3 - Stirling 23 - Bromsgrove 4 - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill 24 - Rayleigh and Wickford 5 - Edinburgh South West 25 - Maidenhead 6 - Edinburgh South 26 - Wycombe 7 - Dumfries and Galloway 27 - Uxbridge and South Ruislip 8 - Penrith and The Border 28 - Hayes and Harlington 9 - Hartlepool 29 - Brent Central 10 - Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford 30 - Islington North 11 - Ashton-under-Lyne 31 - Hackney North and Stoke Newington 12 - Salford and Eccles 32 - North East Somerset 13 - Bolsover 33 - Surrey Heath 14 - Broxtowe 34 - Holborn and St Pancras 15 - Rushcliffe 35 - Islington South and Finsbury 16 - Stone 36 - South West Surrey 17 - Loughborough 37 - Esher and Walton 18 - West Suffolk 38 - Kingston and Surbiton 19 - Leicester South 39 - Hastings and Rye 20 - Braintree 40 - Brighton Pavillion Conservative and Unionist Party (306) Plaid Cymru (4) Labour Party (217) Social Democratic and Labour Party (2) Scottish National Party (56) Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (1) Liberal Democrats (33) Green Party (1) Independent (11) Independent Group for Change (1) Democratic Unionist Party (8) Brexit Party (1)

Conservative and Unionist Party (306) Independent (11) Labour Party (217) Green Party (1) Scottish National Party (56) Independent Group for Change (1) Liberal Democrats (33) Brexit Party (1) PARTY NAME CONSTITUENCY Independent Harry Fletcher Peterborough Independent Eoin Burgin Stockport Independent Group for Change Anna Soubry Broxtowe Green Party Caroline Lucas Brighton Pavillion Brexit Party Richard Tice Hartlepool Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson East Dunbartonshire Liberal Democrats Ed Davey Kingston and Surbiton Scottish National Party Ian Blackford Ross, Skye and Lochaber Scottish National Party Joanna Cherry Edinburgh South West Scottish National Party Alyn Smith Stirling Scottish National Party Alison Thewliss Glasgow Central Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn Islington North Labour Party John McDonnell Hayes and Harlington Labour Party Diane Abbot Hackney North and Stoke Newington Labour Party Emily Thornberry Islington South and Finsbury Labour Party Rebecca Long-Bailey Salford and Eccles Labour Party Angela Rayner Aston-under-Lyne Labour Party Keir Starmer Holborn and St Pancras Labour Party Dawn Butler Brent Central Labour Party Jonathan Ashworth Leicester South Labour Party Dennis Skinner Bolsover Labour Party Yvette Cooper Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford Labour Party Ian Murray Edinburgh South Independent Rory Stewart Penrith and The Border Independent Kenneth Clarke Rushcliffe Conservative Party Boris Johnson Uxbridge and South Ruislip Conservative Party Sajid Javid Bromsgrove Conservative Party Dominic Raab Esher and Walton Conservative Party Priti Patel Witham Conservative Party Michael Gove Surrey Heath Conservative Party Matt Hancock West Suffolk Conservative Party Andrea Leadsom South Northamptonshire Conservative Party James Cleverley Braintree Conservative Party Mark Francois Rayleigh and Wickford Conservative Party Jacob Rees-Mogg North East Somerset Conservative Party Steve Baker Wycombe Conservative Party Bill Cash Stone Conservative Party Theresa May Maidenhead Conservative Party Nicky Morgan Loughborough Conservative Party Amber Rudd Hastings and Rye Conservative Party Alister Jack Dumfries and Galloway Conservative Party Jeremy Hunt South West Surrey

NAME ROLE(S) Harry Fletcher Speaker of the House of Commons Eoin Burgin Chairman of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Anna Soubry Leader of the Independent Group for Change Caroline Lucas Richard Tice Chair of the Brexit Party Jo Swinson Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ian Blackford Leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons Joanna Cherry Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Home Affairs) and Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Justice) Alyn Smith Shadow SNP Spokesperson (International Affairs) Alison Thewliss Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Treasury) Jeremy Corbyn Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party John McDonnell Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Diane Abbot Shadow Home Secretary Emily Thornberry Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Rebecca Long-Bailey Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Angela Rayner Shadow Secretary of State for Education Keir Starmer Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Dawn Butler Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities Jonathan Ashworth Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Dennis Skinner Yvette Cooper Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee Ian Murray Rory Stewart Kenneth Clarke Father of the House of Commons Boris Johnson Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party Sajid Javid Chancellor of the Exchequer Dominic Raab First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Priti Patel Home Secretary Michael Gove Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Matt Hancock Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Andrea Leadsom Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy James Cleverley Chair of the Conservative Party Mark Francois Deputy Chair of the European Research Group Jacob Rees-Mogg Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council Steve Baker Chair of the European Research Group Bill Cash Chair of the European Scrutiny Committee Theresa May Nicky Morgan Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Amber Rudd Alister Jack Secretary of State for Scotland Jeremy Hunt