Explainers
Our explainers cover key subjects relating to our work, setting out key facts and figures and answering the most important questions about government.
Explore our explainers
MPs standing down at the 2024 general election
How many MPs are standing down at the general election, and why?
What is a manifesto?
Manifestos set out the policies a political party would deliver if they were to win a general election.
General election 2024: How has calling the election affected the Rwanda policy?
The prime minister has said flights to Rwanda will not take off until after the election.
General election 2024: When should public bodies speak to opposition parties?
Guidance for public bodies can be less clear than for government departments, but the same principles apply.
Dissolution of parliament
Dissolution is the formal term for the end of a parliament. It occurs ahead of a general election for a new parliament.
General election July 2024: What happens next?
The prime minister has called an election for Thursday 4 July 2024.
Restrictions on government activity during an election campaign
During an election campaign, there are restrictions in place on what the government can do – both in initiating policy and in use of official resource
Select committees
What are select committees? Who is eligible to sit on them? What happens to select committees when a general election is called?
What happens at the beginning of a new Parliament?
How long does it take to get a new Parliament up and running?
How is election spending regulated in the UK?
The next election is likely to see record levels of spending by parties and their candidates.