Dr Alice Lilly
Senior Researcher
Alice's recent work
All work
The monarch, royal family and parliament
What is the relationship between government, parliament and the monarchy?
Joining and leaving the House of Lords
Most Lords members are life peers – nominated for their lifetime, but without their peerage passing to their children.
MPs' security
Threats against MPs have been a persistent concern in recent years. So what security do they receive and how is this funded?
Misleading parliament and correcting the parliamentary record
The clearest rules about making inaccurate statements to parliament mostly come from outside of parliament.
Recall of parliament
Parliament was recalled on Saturday 12 April to debate legislation to save a British Steel plant. How does recalling parliament work?
General election 2024: New ministers appointed to Keir Starmer's government
The IfG team analysed the appointments Keir Starmer made after Labour won the 2024 general election.
Official opposition
As the second largest party in the House of Commons, the Conservative Party is the current official opposition.
King's Speech
The King's Speech is part of the State Opening of Parliament, the formal beginning of each new session of parliament.
Dissolution of parliament
Dissolution is the formal term for the end of a parliament. It occurs ahead of a general election for a new parliament.
What happens at the beginning of a new parliament?
A parliament lasts between one general election and the next. Following the election, a new parliament begins.