The centenary of the start of the First World War will be marked in 2014. Britain entered the conflict in August 1914 and remained at war until November 1918.
Britain and the First World War: Parliament, Empire and Commemoration (587 KB , PDF)
The centenary of the start of the First World War will be marked in 2014. Britain entered the conflict in August 1914 and remained at war until November 1918.
This Library Note provides background reading on several aspects of the First World War. It discusses the activity of the British Parliament during the war: briefly describing a number of debates and statements which took place in August 1914 regarding the outbreak of war and Britain’s entry into the conflict; and summarising a small selection of legislation that was enacted by Parliament during the war. The Note then looks at a number of countries from the British Empire and the British Dominions who sent troops overseas to fight in the war. Finally, it provides information on the British Government’s programme to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
Britain and the First World War: Parliament, Empire and Commemoration (587 KB , PDF)
The Labour Party’s 2024 general election manifesto said that, if elected, it would conduct a strategic defence review (SDR) in its first year in government. The new Labour government launched a review in July 2024. It is expected to report in the first half of 2025. The House of Lords is scheduled to hold a debate on the SDR on 9 October 2024.
This proposed law would introduce a new “think again” procedure in the House of Lords so members could ask the House of Commons to consider their concerns before a draft affirmative statutory instrument is approved.
![Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 14 of 2024–25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/House-of-Lords-568x426.png)
The Labour government has called for an “improved and ambitious relationship” with Europe, including a new UK-EU security pact and stronger bilateral partnerships with partners including France, Germany and Joint Expeditionary Force allies. This briefing outlines some of the actions proposed and undertaken by the UK government to improve ties since the July 2024 general election.
