GOVERNMENT OF THE UKGOVERNMENT OF THE UK

BACKGROUND

• Unwritten Constitution

• Government Hierarchy:

1. The Queen

2. The Prime Minister

3. Cabinet Ministers

4. Ministers of Parliament (MPs)

The Queen

• Head of State

• Neutral

• Appoints Prime Minister

• Holds Royal Prerogative (now largely in the hands of Prime Minister or other government officials)

The Prime Minister

• Elected in First-Past-The-Post election by UK citizens

• Head of Government

• Selects Cabinet Ministers

• Accountable for policies

• Holds the most power in UK constitution

• Current Prime Minister = David Cameron

Cabinet

• Decision making body

• PM + 22 senior ministers selected by PM

• Leads the individual government departments (eg. Secretary of State)

• Advises the Monarch (Privy Council)

MPs

• Also elected in First-Past-The-Post election

• Lead constituency • Also work in parliament for their political

party• Some MPs from the governing party

selected by PM for cabinet• Concerned with considering and proposing

new laws

Houses of Parliament

• Two houses;

1. House of Commons

2. House of Lords

House of Commons

• Lower House (NB. Holds the most power)

• 650 elected MPs (including cabinet and PM)

• Where laws are proposed and considered

• Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQs) = Held every Wednesday

House of Lords

• Upper House

• ‘Constitutional Safeguard’

• Reviews and amends bills

• Most members appointed, not elected

• Parliament Act 1911 = Lord’s power to reject legislation reduced to delaying power

Limits to Government’s Power

• Judges

• Local Authorities

• Charity Commission

Devolved Governments

• Scotland

• Wales

• Northern Ireland (NB. NOT Republic of Ireland)

Local Governments

• County, district and parish councils

• HM Government has influence over local authorities on financial powers and grants

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