By convention, opposition parties are entitled to enter into confidential discussions with senior civil servants in the run-up to a general election. This note outlines the current arrangements and also provides a brief history of the convention.
Pre-election contacts between civil servants and opposition parties (288 KB , PDF)
By convention, opposition parties are entitled to enter into confidential discussions with senior civil servants in the run-up to a general election. Such discussions must be sanctioned by the Prime Minister of the day. They are intended primarily to allow opposition spokespersons to familiarise themselves with aspects of departmental organisation, and to inform civil servants of likely changes to the machinery of government in the event of a change of government.
In April 2014, it became known that the current Prime Minister had written to the Leader of the Opposition to inform him that pre-election contacts between the opposition and the Civil Service would be authorised from October 2014, 6 months prior to the May 2015 general election This note outlines the current arrangements and also provides a brief history of the convention. It notes recommendations for change from the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee and the Institute for Government, made in May 2014.
Pre-election contacts between civil servants and opposition parties (288 KB , PDF)
The Queen’s Speech in May 2021 announced a new bill to provide the security services with the tools they need to tackle the threat from hostile activity by states. The Government subsequently published a consultation on proposals for legislation to counter state threats which closed in July 2021. This briefing paper examines the background to these proposals and concerns about the implications for press freedom.
Parliamentary constituency boundaries are reviewed periodically by independent Boundary Commissions. This House of Commons Library briefing summarises the current rules and procedures for boundary changes and how they have changed over time. It also gives an overview how the number of MPs has reached the current level of 650.
On 19 October 2021, the House of Commons will consider a motion to renew the temporary provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020. The motion is “That the temporary provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 should not yet expire”.
