House of Commons

The House of Commons is the democratically elected house of the UK Parliament. The 646 Members of Parliament (MPs) each represent a different area of the UK with 40 MPs representing Wales.

You can find out which MP represents you here.

MPs are elected in a General Election which must take place at least every five years. At UK level most MPs represent one of the UK’s 3 main political parties (Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats) but many other parties and independent candidates are also represented in Parliament. MPs are elected from a choice of candidates by a simple majority system in which each person casts one vote. The candidate with the most votes then becomes the MP for that constituency.

MPs split their time between working in Parliament itself and working in the constituency that elected them. Some MPs from the ruling party become government ministers with specific responsibilities in certain areas.

When Parliament is sitting (meeting), MPs generally spend their time working in the House of Commons. This can include raising issues affecting their constituents, attending debates and voting on new laws. Most MPs are also members of committees, which look at issues in detail, from government policy and new laws, to wider topics like human rights.

In their constituency, MPs often hold a 'surgery' in their office, where local people can come along to discuss any matters that concern them. MPs also attend functions, visit schools and businesses and generally try to meet as many people as possible. This gives MPs further insight and context into issues they may discuss when they return to Westminster.

For more information on the work of MPs click here.

Business in the House of Commons

When Parliament is sitting business takes places in the Commons at the following times:

Monday 2.30pm – 10.30pm

Tuesday 2.30pm – 10.30pm

Wednesday 11.30am – 7.30pm

Thursday 10.30am – 6.30pm

Friday 9.30am – 3pm (NB. The Commons only sits on certain Fridays when there are Private Members Bills to discuss)

On any given sitting day business follows roughly the same pattern of:

· Prayers

· Question Time

· Ministerial Statements

· Divisions

· Adjournment debates

Other commons business includes:

· Early Day Motions

· Written answers to questions

· Written statements

For details of current and future business in the Commons click here.