David Torrance

London

@CommonsLibrary Clerk covering N. Ireland, Wales, Scotland & monarchy; Visiting Researcher at @UniWestminster; author of non-fiction - agent @NorthbankTalent

Articles

Dissolution of Parliament: recent developments

2 weeks ago | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | David Torrance

Dissolution is the formal term for the end of a Parliament before a general election. When Parliament is “dissolved”, every seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant. History of dissolutionHistorically, the legal power to dissolve Parliament existed under the royal prerogative and was exercised by the Monarch following a request from the Prime Minister. Between 2011 and 2022, however, the dissolution of Parliament was governed by statute – chiefly the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011.
Fife MSP's concern for thousands who still have RTS meters

2 weeks ago | fifetoday.co.uk | David Torrance

I am concerned about anybody in the Kirkcaldy area still relying on older electricity meters which use the Radio Teleswitch Service. I am urging owners of these meters to replace them before the national switch off on June 30, 2025. New figures reveal that there are currently almost 7000 RTS meters still in operation in Fife, of which a significant number are in the Kirkcaldy constituency.
Intergovernmental relations during the covid-19 pandemic

2 months ago | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | David Torrance

Five years ago, on 24 March 2020, the United Kingdom entered the first covid-19 lockdown. This Insight looks at the impact the pandemic had on intergovernmental relations between the UK Government and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. What measures were taken by the UK and devolved administrations? In response to the covid-19 pandemic, the UK Parliament passed the Coronavirus Act 2020, while the Scottish Parliament passed the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020.
Return of a Splashpad at Burntisland Links is great news for locals and visitors

Feb 25, 2025 | fifetoday.co.uk | David Torrance

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowOver the summer period, I received a letter from a constituent who detailed their concerns about the current state of the Splashpad in Burntisland. Once a unique play facility, offering something a bit different for children of all abilities, was left to rack and ruin, she said. What were the plans for getting it replaced? My office wrote to Fife Council, seeking clarification.
Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill 2024-25

Feb 14, 2025 | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | David Torrance

The Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill 2024-25 was introduced in the House of Commons on 13 February 2025. All its Commons stages are due to take place on Tuesday 4 March 2025. The text of the bill and its explanatory notes are provided at the bill pages on the UK Parliamentary website. What would the bill do?
Oaths of Allegiance

Jan 24, 2025 | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | David Torrance

Oaths of allegiance in the United Kingdom are promises to be loyal to the Monarch, as well as to their heirs and successors. Oaths of allegiance are sworn in various contexts, including at the beginning of a Parliament, when government ministers assume office, and when individuals join the Armed Forces.
General debate on Holocaust Memorial Day 2025

Jan 21, 2025 | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | David Torrance |Paul Little |Tomas Robertson

There will be a general debate on Holocaust Memorial Day in the Commons Chamber on Thursday 23 January 2025. The debate will be on the motion: “That this House has considered Holocaust Memorial Day.”Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) has taken place in the UK on 27 January since 2001. Each year, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust chooses a different theme to enable audiences on Holocaust Memorial Day to learn something new about the past.
Who is the Cabinet Secretary and how are they appointed?

Dec 2, 2024 | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | David Torrance

Sir Chris Wormald has been appointed Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service. He is currently Permanent Secretary of the Department for Health and Social Care and will take up his new post on 16 December 2024. This Insight looks at the role of Cabinet Secretary and how they are appointed. Who is the Cabinet Secretary? The Cabinet Secretary (or Secretary to the Cabinet) is the Prime Minister’s most senior policy adviser, but they also support all ministers in the running of the UK Government.
How is a new Archbishop of Canterbury chosen?

Nov 13, 2024 | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | David Torrance

The Rt Rev Justin Welby announced his resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury on 12 November 2024, following in the Makin Review. He said “exact timings” on a successor would be decided once an assessment of his “Constitutional and church responsibilities” had been completed. This Insight looks at how a new archbishop will be chosen.
Democratic consent mechanism and the Northern Ireland Assembly

Oct 23, 2024 | commonslibrary.parliament.uk | David Torrance

On 31 October, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has to notify certain individuals of the start of the democratic consent mechanism. This will allow the Assembly to decide whether or not certain European Union (EU) laws will continue to apply in Northern Ireland. This Insight explains how the consent mechanism vote will work later this year. What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?