Research Briefing
Commanding confidence
A briefing on the meaning of "confidence" in a parliamentary context.
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Research Briefing
Estimates Day debate: Spending of the Northern Ireland Office
An Estimates Day debate has been scheduled for 29 June on the spending of the Northern Ireland Office.
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Research Briefing
How is the Prime Minister appointed?
A briefing on what happens when a Prime Minister formally resigns and the King appoints a successor, based upon prime ministerial memoirs and other sources.
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Research Briefing
How are diplomats appointed?
Diplomatic representatives of the United Kingdom to other countries are appointed by the Monarch, usually on advice from the Foreign Secretary.
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Research Briefing
Scottish Devolution: Section 30 Orders
A briefing on Section 30 Orders, secondary legislation made under the Scotland Act 1998 to increase or restrict – temporarily or permanently – the Scottish Parliament’s legislative authority.
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Research Briefing
How is the First Minister of Wales appointed?
A briefing on how the First Minister of Wales is nominated and appointed.
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Research Briefing
How is the First Minister of Scotland appointed?
A briefing on the process for nominating and appointing the First Minister of Scotland.
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Research Briefing
The United Kingdom and independence
A briefing on how the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is currently constituted and the mechanisms by which a part of the UK could secede from it.
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Research Briefing
What is the King’s Speech
A briefing on the King’s Speech, which sets out the government’s legislative agenda for the forthcoming parliamentary session.
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Research Briefing
State Opening of Parliament – history and ceremonial
A briefing paper on the State Opening of Parliament, its history and ceremonial
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Research Briefing
Peerages and membership of the House of Lords
At the end of the 2024-26 parliamentary session, the remaining hereditary peers lost their entitlement to sit and vote in the House of Lords.
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Research Briefing
The removal of titles and honours
In October 2025 the King “initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew”. This briefing examines how titles and other honours may be removed.
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Research Briefing
The line of succession
A short briefing on the line of succession to the throne, including how changes are made.
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Debate Pack
General Debate on St David’s Day and Welsh Affairs – 26th February 2026
A general debate on Welsh affairs is held each year in the Commons Chamber on, or around, St. David's Day. Since 2010 the Backbench Committee has allocated time for the annual debate from its 35 allotted days.
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Debate Pack
General debate on Holocaust Memorial Day 2026
There will be a general debate on Holocaust Memorial Day in the Commons Chamber on Thursday 29 January 2026. The debate will be on the motion: “That this House has considered Holocaust Memorial Day.”
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