Parliament and the constitution
Hung parliaments
A hung parliament occurs when no party holds a majority of seats in the House of Commons.
Appointment of prime ministers and the role of the King
Prime ministers are appointed based on their ability to command confidence in the House of Commons.
King's Speech
The King's Speech is part of the State Opening of Parliament, the formal beginning of each new session of Parliament.
The Fixed-term Parliaments Act has confused what it means for governments to command confidence
Legislation designed to provide stability is now contributing to confusion about how the Commons determines when it has confidence in a government.
Supreme Court decision on prorogation
The Supreme Court has ruled that prorogation of Parliament was unlawful.
Recall of parliament
How can parliament be recalled?
How is the Speaker of the House of Commons elected?
What is the process for electing a Speaker of the House of Commons?
The number of Brexit options in play are going up
It is now 39 months since the referendum result, but it is becoming even less clear how the Brexit story ends.
Boris Johnson should not pick a fight with the courts to burnish his Brexit credentials
The government should not be flirting with the idea of an ugly fight with the courts to get around legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit.