Government :
Government PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY – we decide who represents us
Voters are called CONSTITUENTS who live in a CONSTITUENCY
Every 5 years (sometimes less than 5 years) there is a GENERAL ELECTION
The party with the most MPs forms a government
There is no written CONSTITUTION
Parliament is more important than the King or Queen
But parliament must observe EU decisions!
The Cabinet :
The Cabinet The leader of the winning party becomes the PRIME MINISTER
The PM lives at 10 Downing Street in London
He or she chooses some MPs to be in charge of different departments
This is called the CABINET
Some CABINET MINISTERS are: the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, Education, Health and Defence
The PM can be removed by their own party if the party loses confidence in their leader!
The Opposition :
The Opposition The second largest party is called Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition
The opposition party is guaranteed time to debate matters
The opposition leader gets money from the Treasury to run their office and a SHADOW CABINET
The opposition leader also has a constitutional status and stands beside the Prime Minister on state occasions Click here to watch the House of Commons in action at Prime Minister’s Questions
The Media :
The Media The official record of parliament is called Hansard
Most people learn about politics from the newspapers, TV and radio
The media in Britain is called a free press – this means they can write their opinions about the government without punishment
Many newspaper owners have strong political beliefs
During a General Election, reporting must be balanced
Each party gets free time on radio and TV for Party Political Broadcasts
The Parliamentary System :
The Parliamentary System Constitutional Monarchy House of Commons House of Lords Limited powers
Must accept decisions of parliament
Can only ‘advise, warn & encourage’
Opens & closes parliament
Annual Queen’s Speech The Palace of Westminster Commons is more powerful than Lords
646 MPs (at the moment!)
MPs create/shape laws
Most work is done in committees
Speaker keeps order
Whips ensure discipline Used to be hereditary peers
Since 1957, the PM can appoint life peers
There are still some hereditary peers
Senior bishops and judges are automatically peers
Many faiths represented Click here to watch a clip of the State Opening of Parliament
The Electoral System :
The Electoral System ‘First past the post’ – candidate with the most votes wins
Party with majority of seats forms the government
Party with most votes doesn’t necessarily win!
Some people want a different system called Proportional Representation (number of votes determines the number of MPs)
Main UK parties don’t want this! Click here for more information about Parliament and Government