British Government

and Political Living

England

Great Britain

the United
Kingdom
British Parliament and Government

United Kingdoms Constitution
The United Kingdom has an uncodified cornstitution,
meaning that there is no written documents regarded
as the highest law of the land.
Based on regulations, conventions, principles and
procedures.

Government System
Britain is a parliamentary democracy
with a constitutional monarchy as Head of State.

Constitutional Monarchy: governed by a king or queen who accepts the
advice of a parliament.
Parliamentary Democracy: the government is controlled by a
parliament.

Monarchy
The United Kingdoms
Structure of
Government
Her Majestys Government
Elizabeth the Second, by
the Grace of God of the
United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern
Ireland and of Her other
Realms and Territories
Queen, Head of the
Commonwealth, Defender
of the Faith.
a.k.a Her Royal Highness or
Queen Elizabeth II.
British Sovereign has two roles:
Head of State
- inward duties: open the
parliament, approve the Orders in
Council, sign the Acts of
Parliament, and hold meetings
with the Prime Minister.
- outward duties: represent Britain
to the rest of the world.
Head of Nation
duties: acts as a focus for national
identity, unity and pride; gives a
sense of stability and continuity;
officially recognises success and
excellence; and supports the ideal
of voluntary service.

Monarchy Parliament
The United Kingdoms
Structure of
Government
Parliament
Parliament is made up of House of Commons, House of
Lords
and the Monarch.
Main roles:
- Examining and challenging the work of the government
(scrutiny)
- Debating and passing all laws (legislation)
- Set taxes
- Debating recent major issues




Monarchy Parliament
The United Kingdoms
Structure of
Government
House of Lords
a.k.a The Upper
House

House of Lords
Appointed or inherited
Main roles:
- Making and passing new laws
- Scrutinizing the government
Is independent and complements the work of
the elected House of Commons.
Dont have much real power, because Two Parliament Acts
(1911 and 1949) remove their power of veto


Monarchy Parliament
House of Commons
a.k.a The Lower
House
The United Kingdoms
Structure of
Government
House of Lords
a.k.a The Upper
House

House of Commons
The members of the House of Commons are called
the Members of Parliament (MPs)
Have the real power
Elected by citizens over the age of 18
Cant have an inherited title to sit in this house
Main roles:
- Making and passing laws
- Scrutinizing what the government is doing
- Debating big political issues
- Making decisions on financial bills
- 825 members
- Not elected but selected by
PM and appointed by the Queen
or inherited by title
- Has less real power
- No power to veto
- Supreme Court comes from
this House but have to give up
voting rights whhile judging
-Lords cant block or amend
financial bills made by House
of Commons
- Debate new laws proposed by
MPs, suggest changes until
they agree
- 650 members of Parliament
(MP)
- Elected by a local area
- Has more real power
- Holds
- Where the Prime Minister is
elected from
- Solely responsible for making
decisions on financial bills like
taxes
- Debate the big political issus
and make proposals for new laws

- Consult
in
lawmakin
g

-
Scrutinize
the
governme
nt
House of
Lords
House of
Commons
Monarchy Parliament
House of Lords
a.k.a The Upper
House
House of Commons
a.k.a The Lower
House
Prime
Minister
The United Kingdoms
Structure of
Government
Prime Minister
First Lord of the Treasury and Leader of the House
of Commons
Elected from the House of Commons with a majority vote
Technically appointed by the monarchy
Essentially the head of the government

Duties:
Provides leadership within cabinet and country
Appoints members of the government
Is the principal government figure in the House of Commons
Represent the UK in international affairs

Monarchy Parliament
House of Lords
a.k.a The Upper
House
House of Commons
a.k.a The Lower
House
Prime
Minister
Cabinet
The United Kingdoms
Structure of
Government
Cabinet
Made up of 22 senior ministers (Secretaries of State) chosen by the
Prime Minister
Each minister is in charge of a ministry
Governed by written Ministerial Code

Duties and responsibilities:
Registering and ratifying decisions taken elsewhere
in the Cabinet system
Reaching and endorsing final decisions on major issues
Settling dispute between government departments
Determining government business in parliament
Ministers




Ministers are choosen by the Prime Minister from the members of the
House of Commons and House of Lords.
They are responsible for the actions, successes and failures of their
departments.
1 21
10
0
122
Prime
Minister
Cabinet
Ministers
Other
Ministers
Total
Ministers
Monarchy Parliament
House of Lords
a.k.a The Upper
House
House of Commons
a.k.a The Lower
House
Prime
Minister
Cabinet
Cabinet Committees:
- Coalition Committee
- National Security Council
- European Affairs
Committee
- Social Justice Committee
- Public Health Committee
- etc
The United Kingdoms
Structure of
Government
Cabinet Committees
Cabinet Committees are parts of the Cabinet
Established to help the Cabinet makes decisions in a smaller group of
ministers
Roles: scrutinizing the work of individual ministry
The United Kingdoms
Structure of
Government
Monarchy Parliament
House of Lords
a.k.a The Upper
House
House of Commons
a.k.a The Lower
House
Prime
Minister
Cabinet
Cabinet Committees:
- Coalition Committee
- National Security Council
- European Affairs
Committee
- Social Justice Committee
- Public Health Committee
- etc
Judiciary
Judiciary
The head of the judiciary branch of the
government is The Lord Chancellor.
The United Kingdom does not have a
single unified judicial system.
Can check power of State if violating
basic human rights of individual citizens,
however doesnt mean it can overturn
legislation
Ultimate power remains with parliament
Court System of England and Wales
Local Governments
Is known as Councils.
Not protected by constitution, so central government can swoop in and
change structure and powers of local government with minimal
resistance
Used to be in charge most of education, housing, social care, policing,
etc. But been reigned in over last 30 years by central government
limiting their powers
There are five types of local authority in England: county councils,
district councils, unitary authorities, metropolitan districts and London
boroughs.
There are 353 councils in England.