All-Party Parliamentary Group
Encyclopedia
An all-party parliamentary group (APPG) is a grouping in the UK parliament that is composed of politicians from all political parties
.
and an upper house
, all-party parliamentary groups can usually include members of both houses. In the Parliament of the United Kingdom
, for example, APPGs include members of the House of Commons
and the House of Lords
. APPGS meet together, relatively informally, to discuss a particular issue of concern. APPGs are either country based, e.g., the APPG on Zimbabwe
, or subject based, e.g., the APPG on breast cancer
- the topics reflecting parliamentarians' concerns. APPGs generally have officers drawn from the major political parties and strive to avoid favouring one political party or another. Inevitably, they tend to focus most on the governing party's priorities, discussing new developments and inviting government ministers to speak at their meetings. APPGs have no formal place in the legislature, but are an effective way of bringing together parliamentarians and interested parties. In many countries, APPGs must be registered every parliamentary year and must hold an annual general meeting.
APPGs allow campaign groups, charities, and other non-governmental organisations active in the field to become involved in discussions and influence politicians. Often a relevant charity or other organisation will provide a secretariat for the APPG helping to arrange meetings and keeping track of its members. For example while the APPG on Agriculture and Food for Development
numbers over 70 MPs and Peers as members it also has a number of external stakeholders including NGOs, Universities, Scientific Research Centres and Multilateral Bodies. Similarly the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples
is supported by indigenous rights organization Survival International
as its secretariat. The UK parliament's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Homelessness and Housing Need, for example, is administered by the charity Housing Justice
. Other APPGs may be somewhat more frivolous in nature, such as the UK parliament's All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group
.
, an associate parliamentary group is similar to an all-party parliamentary group except that it is made up of not only members of the House of Commons or Lords but can also include members from outside Parliament.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
.
All-party parliamentary groups
If a parliament consists of both a lower houseLower house
A lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house.Despite its official position "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide the lower house has come to wield more power...
and an upper house
Upper house
An upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...
, all-party parliamentary groups can usually include members of both houses. In the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
, for example, APPGs include members of the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
and the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. APPGS meet together, relatively informally, to discuss a particular issue of concern. APPGs are either country based, e.g., the APPG on Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, or subject based, e.g., the APPG on breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
- the topics reflecting parliamentarians' concerns. APPGs generally have officers drawn from the major political parties and strive to avoid favouring one political party or another. Inevitably, they tend to focus most on the governing party's priorities, discussing new developments and inviting government ministers to speak at their meetings. APPGs have no formal place in the legislature, but are an effective way of bringing together parliamentarians and interested parties. In many countries, APPGs must be registered every parliamentary year and must hold an annual general meeting.
APPGs allow campaign groups, charities, and other non-governmental organisations active in the field to become involved in discussions and influence politicians. Often a relevant charity or other organisation will provide a secretariat for the APPG helping to arrange meetings and keeping track of its members. For example while the APPG on Agriculture and Food for Development
APPG on Agriculture and Food for Development
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Agriculture and Food for Development is a cross-party group in the UK Parliament, co-chaired by Tony Baldry, a Conservative Member of Parliament and Lord Cameron of Dillington, a cross-bench Peer. The APPG is composed of over 70 MPs and Peers from across the...
numbers over 70 MPs and Peers as members it also has a number of external stakeholders including NGOs, Universities, Scientific Research Centres and Multilateral Bodies. Similarly the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples is a group in the UK Parliament, chaired by Martin Horwood MP, that was founded in 2007. Its stated aim is to "raise parliamentary and public awareness of tribal peoples"...
is supported by indigenous rights organization Survival International
Survival International
Survival International is a human rights organisation formed in 1969 that campaigns for the rights of indigenous tribal peoples and uncontacted peoples, seeking to help them to determine their own future. Their campaigns generally focus on tribal peoples' fight to keep their ancestral lands,...
as its secretariat. The UK parliament's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Homelessness and Housing Need, for example, is administered by the charity Housing Justice
Housing Justice
Housing Justice is a charity based in London formed in 2003 when the Catholic Housing Aid Society and the Churches' National Housing Coalition merged. With over 60 years' experience it is one of the oldest housing and homelessness charity in the UK...
. Other APPGs may be somewhat more frivolous in nature, such as the UK parliament's All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group
All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group
The All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group is a UK Parliamentary group with a membership of more than 100 MPs and Peers. Its stated purpose is to "To promote the use and enjoyment of jazz as a music form."...
.
Associate parliamentary groups
In the Parliament of the United KingdomParliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
, an associate parliamentary group is similar to an all-party parliamentary group except that it is made up of not only members of the House of Commons or Lords but can also include members from outside Parliament.