How Parliament Works

This event gives participants a thorough grounding in how Westminster operates, looking at the law-making process and how policy initiatives are scrutinised and challenged. We look at the everyday work of MPs and peers from a practical perspective and look at how ministers, shadows and backbenchers utilise the various parliamentary mechanisms and procedures at their disposal. 

Who will benefit from attending?

People who wish to engage with parliamentarians in order to influence policy outcomes or who simply wish to understand more about how Parliament works and how political decisions are made and scrutinised.

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• Better understand the structure and day-to-day workings of Parliament, how the timetable operates and how parliamentarians are disciplined and motivated;
• Look in detail at the legislative process, from the consultation stage to Royal Assent, and assess the effectiveness of scrutiny;
• Appreciate the ways in which the government is held to account, including by select committees, oral and written questions, all-party groups, Private Members’ Bills, Statements and Westminster Hall debates.

Organisational benefit

Organisations will be able to develop a better understand of the decision-making process at Westminster and how to be more effective in influencing MPs and peers.