House of Commons: Members

Representation

Members of the House of Commons, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), represent constituencies from across the UK.
There are, as of 2020, 650 constituencies, each represented by one MP.
MPs are elected through a First Past the Post system, which is a type of plurality voting method.

Duties of MPs involve representing their constituents, legislation, and scrutinising the government.
Independent of party affiliations, MPs are mandated to represent the interests of all individuals living within their constituency.
They spend a significant time at Westminster, participating in debates and voting on legislation.
MPs often serve on parliamentary committees, focusing on specific areas of public policy, government functions, or legislative proposals.

Most MPs belong to one of the major political parties in the UK - the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, the Scottish National Party, or the Liberal Democrats.
However, there are also MPs from smaller regional parties and Independent MPs.
The party with the most MPs usually forms the government, with its leader serving as the Prime Minister.

MPs are accountable to their constituents and can lose their seats at a General Election or in a by-election (if one were to occur in their constituency).
Each term in office lasts up to five years, but it can be shortened if the Prime Minister calls an early election.