Constitutional system
The UK is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The monarch is head of state, while elected representatives make and scrutinise laws through Parliament. The monarch’s political role is limited by law and convention.
The UK does not have a single written constitutional document. Its constitutional arrangements come from legislation, court judgments, conventions and historic documents.
The UK Parliament consists of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Sovereign. Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to the House of Commons. Members of the House of Lords are not elected in the same way and include life peers and some bishops.
Government and elections
The government is normally formed by the political party that can command the confidence of the House of Commons. The Prime Minister leads the government and appoints senior ministers. The Cabinet is a group of senior ministers responsible for major areas of government policy.
The opposition scrutinises the government and presents alternatives. MPs represent constituencies and can raise issues on behalf of constituents as well as debate and vote on legislation.
General elections choose MPs for the House of Commons. Voting rules depend on the election and a person’s eligibility, and rules can change. Use official government and Electoral Commission guidance for current registration and election information.
How laws are made
Proposals for new laws are introduced to Parliament as bills. A bill is debated and examined through several stages in the House of Commons and House of Lords. Both Houses generally need to agree on the text.
Once a bill has completed the parliamentary process, Royal Assent allows it to become an Act of Parliament. Parliament also scrutinises government through debates, questions and committees.
Devolution
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved institutions with responsibilities in specified policy areas. The Scottish Parliament sits in Edinburgh, Senedd Cymru (the Welsh Parliament) sits in Cardiff, and the Northern Ireland Assembly sits at Stormont in Belfast.
The exact distribution of powers differs between the nations and can change over time. Areas such as health and education are substantially devolved, while matters including defence and foreign affairs are handled at UK level.
The law
The rule of law means everyone is subject to the law. The UK has different legal systems: England and Wales share one system, Scotland has its own, and Northern Ireland has its own.
Criminal law deals with offences against the law, while civil law generally deals with disputes between individuals or organisations. The police investigate crime, prosecutors bring cases where appropriate, and independent courts decide cases.
Juries are used in certain serious criminal trials. Magistrates and judges have different roles within the court system. Courts and procedures differ across the UK’s legal jurisdictions.
Local government and public services
Local authorities provide or organise many services such as education, social care, housing-related services, waste collection and local planning. The exact structure of local government varies across the UK.
People can contact elected representatives about issues affecting them. MPs deal with national parliamentary matters, while councillors represent people in local government.
Your role in the community
People can contribute to their communities in many ways, including volunteering, supporting charities and participating in civic life. Charities and voluntary organisations work in areas ranging from health and education to conservation and community support.
Jury service is a civic responsibility for people who are summoned and eligible. People can also participate by voting when eligible, joining local organisations, attending community meetings or contacting elected representatives.
Being a good neighbour, respecting other people and helping to protect the environment are practical ways of contributing to community life.
Government and law quick revision
Keep the roles of the main institutions separate in your revision.
- ✓House of Commons — elected MPs
- ✓House of Lords — scrutinises legislation
- ✓Prime Minister — leads the government
- ✓Cabinet — senior government ministers
- ✓Scottish Parliament — Edinburgh
- ✓Senedd — Cardiff
- ✓Northern Ireland Assembly — Stormont, Belfast
- ✓Local councillors — represent local communities