Biggest political events 2023: Resignations, investigations, here's all you need to know
16 January 2023 – The UK government announces it will block the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
The UK government announces it will block the bill amid concerns about its impact on UK-wide equality law.
19 January 2023 – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologises for removing his seat belt in a moving car to record a social media video
Lancashire Police later say they are ‘looking into’ the incident. Sunak is issued with a fixed-penalty notice the next day.
22 January 2023 - Boris Johnson makes a surprise trip to Ukraine amid Russia's war in the country
The former PM said it was ‘privilege’ after being invited to visit the country by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
5 February 2023 – Former Prime Minister Liz Truss writes an article for The Sunday Telegraph
The article is seen as marking Truss' return to political life. In it, she says her economic agenda was never given a 'realistic chance'.
8 February 2023 - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes first visit to the UK since Russia invaded his country
Zelenskyy addresses a joint session of Parliament during his visit and later meets King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
15 February 2023–Nicola Sturgeon announces her resignation as First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party
Sturgeon served eight years in the role. She will stay on until her successor has been elected.
27 February 2023 – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for Brexit talks
Sunak and von der Leyen meet for face-to-face talks aimed at securing a new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland.
27 February 2023 - King Charles holds an audience with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor Castle
1 March 2023 - The Telegraph starts to release the Lockdown Files
The Telegraph begun releasing over 100,000 WhatsApp messages sent between Matt Hancock and other ministers and officials at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Their conversations raise questions about the handling of the pandemic ahead of a public inquiry into the government's response to Covid-19.
3 March 2023 - Buckingham Palace announces the first state visit to be made by Charles III and Camilla as King and Queen Consort
It is announced that King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to France and Germany between 26 and 31 March.
However, on 24 March, the visit to France is postponed due to ongoing protests over French President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms.
3 March 2023- The Commons Select Committee of Privileges finds Boris Johnson may have misled Parliament over the Partygate scandal
Evidence suggested breaches of COVID-19 rules would have been 'obvious' to him.
15 March 2023 – Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt presents the 2023 budget to the House of Commons
16 March 2023– The UK government announces that TikTok is to be banned on electronic devices used by ministers and other employees
The move comes amid security concerns relating to the Chinese-owned app's handling of user data. The Welsh Government also announces the app will be banned from all its official devices.
19 March 2023 – The UK government launches the Emergency Alerts service
The service sends text alerts to mobile phones in a situation where it is perceived there is an immediate risk to life.
22 March 2023 - Boris Johnson faces a cross-party committee about whether he misled Parliament over the Partygate scandal
The day before, on 21 March, Boris Johnson published a 52-page defence of his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic in which he acknowledges misleading Parliament over the Partygate scandal, but says he did not do so intentionally.
24 March 2023 – MPs vote to back the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Bill
The bill will make catcalling, following someone, or blocking their path an offence in England and Wales with a punishment of up to two years in prison.
27 March 2023 - The result of the 2023 Scottish National Party leadership election to replace Nicola Sturgeon is announced
Humza Yousaf succeeds Nicola Sturgeon as Leader of the SNP. He is confirmed as Scotland's First Minister by a vote in the Scottish Parliament on 28 March, and is sworn in as Scotland's First Minister on 29 March.
21 April 2023 - Dominic Raab resigns as UK Deputy Prime Minister over bullying inquiry
An independent report found that Dominic Raab had bullied officials.
4 May 2023 – The United Kingdom's local elections are scheduled to take place
6 May 2023 – The Coronation of Charles III and Camilla is scheduled to take place at Westminster Abbey, London
17 July 2023 - The 10 year anniversary of the UK's legalisation of same-sex marriage
