How to visit Parliament and the Devolved Administrations
The public can listen to debates in the Palace of Westminster from public galleries in
both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. You can either write to your local
MP in advance to ask for tickets or you can queue on the day at the public entrance.
Entrance is free. Sometimes there are long queues for the House of Commons and you
may have to wait for at least one or two hours. It is usually easier to get into the House of
Lords.
In Northern Ireland, elected members, known as MLAs, meet in the Northern Ireland
Assembly at Stormont, in Belfast. There are two ways to arrange a visit to Stormont. You
can either contact the Education Service or contact an MLA.
In Scotland, the elected members, called MSPs, meet in the Scottish Parliament at
Holyrood in Edinburgh. You can get information, book tickets or arrange tours through
the visitor services.
In Wales, the elected members, known as AMs, meet in the Welsh Assembly in the
Senedd in Cardiff Bay. You can book tours or seats in the public galleries for the Welsh
Assembly.
How Parliament works, and the difference between the House of Commons and the
House of Lords
How often general elections are held
Where the official residence of the Prime Minister is
The role of the Cabinet and who is in it
The nature of the UK Constitution
The job of the Opposition, the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow cabinet
The difference between “first past the post” and proportional representation
The form of electoral systems in the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland,
Scotland and Wales
The rights and duties of British citizens, including naturalized citizens
How the judiciary, police and local authorities work
What non-departmental public bodies are
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