The Government

This section covers Parliament, the Prime Minister and Cabinet, political parties, the civil service, local and devolved government, the media's role, and how UK elections and voting work.

The System of Government

The UK is a parliamentary democracy, divided into parliamentary constituencies. Voters in each constituency elect their MP at a General Election; all elected MPs form the House of Commons. The party with a majority of MPs forms the government — if no party has a majority, two parties can form a coalition.

The House of Commons

The House of Commons is considered the more important chamber because its members are democratically elected. The Prime Minister and almost all Cabinet members are MPs. Each MP represents a constituency and:

• Represents everyone in their constituency
• Helps create new laws
• Scrutinises and comments on government actions
• Debates important national issues

The House of Lords

Members of the House of Lords ("peers") aren't elected and don't represent a constituency. Until 1958, all peers were hereditary, senior judges, or Church of England bishops. Since 1958, the Prime Minister can nominate "life peers" — appointed for their lifetime by the monarch on the PM's advice, often with distinguished careers in politics, business or law. Since 1999, hereditary peers have lost the automatic right to sit in the Lords and now elect a small number to represent them.

The Lords is normally more independent of government than the Commons. It can suggest amendments or propose new laws for MPs to consider, checks laws passed by the Commons, and holds government to account. The Commons can overrule the Lords, though this power is rarely used.

The Speaker

The Speaker chairs debates in the House of Commons as its chief officer. Though an MP representing a constituency, the Speaker is politically neutral, chosen by fellow MPs in a secret ballot. The Speaker keeps order during debates, ensures the opposition gets guaranteed debate time, and represents Parliament on ceremonial occasions.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet

The Prime Minister (PM) leads the governing party, appoints Cabinet ministers, and has control over many public appointments. Their official home is 10 Downing Street; they also have a country house, Chequers. A PM can be replaced by their party's MPs, or resign — typically after losing a General Election.

The PM appoints around 20 senior MPs as ministers in charge of departments, forming the Cabinet, which usually meets weekly to decide government policy (subject to Parliamentary debate/approval).

The Opposition

The second-largest party in the Commons is the "opposition." Its leader usually becomes PM if their party wins the next election, and leads scrutiny of the government — notably at weekly Prime Minister's Questions — appointing senior MPs as "shadow ministers" who form the shadow cabinet and propose alternative policies.

The Party System

Anyone 18 or over can stand for election as an MP, though success without a major party's backing is rare. The main parties are the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, and parties representing Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish interests. MPs without party affiliation are called "independents." Pressure and lobby groups, like the CBI (business) or Greenpeace (environment), also work to influence government policy.

The Civil Service

Civil servants support ministers in developing and implementing policy and delivering public services. They're chosen on merit, politically neutral, and expected to uphold integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Local Government

Democratically elected councils ("local authorities") govern towns, cities and rural areas, funded by central government and local taxes. Many appoint a ceremonial mayor; some elect an executive mayor. London has 33 local authorities coordinated by the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London. Local elections are usually held every May.

Devolved Administrations

Since 1997, powers have been devolved to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland over matters directly affecting them, while defence, foreign affairs, social security and most taxation remain under central UK control.

The Media and Government

Parliamentary proceedings are broadcast on TV and published in official reports called Hansard. The UK has a free press — newspapers are free from government control, though owners and editors may run campaigns reflecting their own views. By law, radio and TV coverage of political parties must be balanced.

Who Can Vote?

The UK has had full democratic voting since 1928; the voting age (18) was set in 1969. UK-born and naturalised adult citizens, plus resident Commonwealth and Irish Republic citizens, can vote in public elections. To vote, you must be on the electoral register, held by your local council electoral registration office — registration forms are sent to every household each September/October (Northern Ireland uses individual registration instead).

Elections happen at polling stations (7am–10pm), where staff check your name, address and photo ID before giving you a ballot paper to complete privately. If getting to a polling station is difficult, you can register for a postal ballot.

Most UK, Irish or Commonwealth citizens aged 18+ can stand for public office, except members of the armed forces, civil servants, and people with certain criminal convictions. Members of the House of Lords can't stand for the Commons but can hold other public offices.

Check That You Understand

• The role of the House of Commons, House of Lords and the Speaker
• The role of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, opposition and shadow cabinet
• The role of political parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government
• The powers of the devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Who can vote, how to register, and how to vote