The State Opening is a royal ceremony of great antiquity – well-established by the late fourteenth century – which marks the start of a parliamentary year. It is customary for the Sovereign to be …

Nobody set out to create Parliament. It developed naturally out of the daily political needs of the English King and his government. Nor did it develop continuously over time, but went through …

MPs and Members of the Lords sit in the two Chambers of Parliament scrutinising the Government and debating legislation. Find Members of Parliament (MPs) by postcode and …

The Palace of Westminster has been a centre of power for over 900 years. In this section we chart the development of parliamentary sovereignty, from absolute rule by the Sovereign, to …

The UK joined the European Economic Community (EEC or Common Market – a union of six States) in January 1973. We look at the history of the EEC and trace the key events that have …

Parliament examines what the Government is doing, makes new laws, holds the power to set taxes and debates the issues of the day. The House of Commons and House of Lords each …

Within 30 years of Charles II's restoration to the throne in 1660, England was once again on the verge of civil war. In 1688 the country was invaded by a foreign army and its King fled, as the …

MPs and Members of the Lords sit in the two Chambers of Parliament scrutinising the Government and debating legislation. Find Members of Parliament (MPs) by postcode and …

MPs and Members of the Lords sit in the two Chambers of Parliament scrutinising the Government and debating legislation. Find Members of Parliament (MPs) by postcode and …