Overview
The Monarchy
Parliament
Devolved Governments
Elections and Voting
Local Government
The Civil Service
The Legal System
Key Exam Points
The United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. Understanding how government works, from Parliament to local councils, is a key part of the Life in the UK test.
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The UK is a constitutional monarchy. The monarch is head of state but does not govern directly
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The monarch's role is largely ceremonial: opening Parliament, approving laws, representing the country
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The Prime Minister leads the government and holds real executive power
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The monarch must remain politically neutral
Parliament is the supreme law-making body in the UK. It has three parts:
1. The House of Commons: elected MPs (Members of Parliament); the most powerful chamber
2. The House of Lords: appointed peers and bishops; revises and scrutinises laws
3. The Monarch: formally approves laws (Royal Assent)
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650 MPs elected from constituencies across the UK
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Elections held at least every 5 years (general elections)
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The party with the most MPs forms the government; their leader becomes Prime Minister
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The Speaker chairs debates and keeps order, and is politically neutral
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MPs vote on proposed laws (bills); a bill becomes law when it passes both Houses and receives Royal Assent
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Members are not elected. They are appointed by the Prime Minister, or are hereditary peers
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Around 800 members including life peers, 26 Church of England bishops, and 92 hereditary peers
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Can delay but cannot permanently block legislation passed by Commons
Power has been devolved to national assemblies and parliaments:
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Scotland: Scottish Parliament (Edinburgh); can legislate on health, education, justice, and some taxes
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Wales: Senedd Cymru (Cardiff); powers over health, education, local government
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Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont); devolved since Good Friday Agreement (1998)
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UK citizens and qualifying Commonwealth/Irish citizens aged 18+ can vote
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First Past the Post system for general elections, candidate with most votes in each constituency wins
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Proportional representation used for some devolved elections and European elections
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Polling day is traditionally a Thursday
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Electoral register: you must be registered to vote
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Local councils manage services such as rubbish collection, libraries, local planning, social services
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Councillors are elected every 4 years
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Some areas have directly elected Mayors (e.g., London, Manchester)
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Civil servants implement government policy regardless of which party is in power
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They are politically neutral and permanent employees of the state
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England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems
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Magistrates' courts handle minor cases; Crown Courts handle serious crimes
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The Supreme Court is the highest court in the UK
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Judges are independent from the government, and the rule of law applies equally to all
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Jury service: citizens may be called to serve; it is a legal obligation
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The UK has 650 MPs in the House of Commons
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The Speaker of the House of Commons is politically neutral
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The Supreme Court is the highest court in the UK
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Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved governments
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Citizens must be registered on the electoral roll to vote
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The Good Friday Agreement (1998) led to the Northern Ireland Assembly
Answer questions drawn only from Government & Law and see what stuck.