Introduction: Minority government in context. Historical comparisons and precedents. Part 1: Forming a government. What does ‘command confidence’ mean? The incumbent Prime Minister: stay or go? When will Parliament meet? The State Opening of Parliament: will the Queen attend? The Queen’s Speech debate: confidence of the House? Will there be a second general election? What difference does the Fixed Term Parliaments Act make? Seats vs- votes: what counts? An alternative party leader / Prime Minister? How long can be taken to form a government? Part 2: Parliamentary procedure: help or hindrance? Does it matter if votes are lost? Whats about the House of Lords? Will minority government mean less legislation? Will the Speaker’s casting vote influence decisions? Managing time: potential problems ahead. The establishment and composition of select committees. The fiscal maze. Delegated legislation: an increase in deferrals and withdrawals? Accountability and transparency.

With the country facing a hung Parliament how will a government be formed and then sustained in office? Plotting a roadmap through the constitutional issues, this paper highlights and explains key parliamentary dates and events that will shape the process, and sets it in historical context.