🏛️ How government fits together
Monarch
Head of state in a constitutional monarchy.
Parliament
House of Commons + House of Lords.
Prime Minister
Leader of the political party in power.
Cabinet
Senior ministers making important government policy decisions.
Judiciary
Courts and judges; justice and the law.
Local government
Democratically elected councils provide local services.
The UK is a parliamentary democracy with the monarch as head of state. This section will tell you about the different institutions which make up this democratic system and explain how you can play a part in the democratic process.
Sections in this chapter
🗳️ The development of British democracy
How British democracy took shape, from Parliament to universal suffrage.
✓2📜 The British constitution
The monarchy, Parliament, the Commons, the Lords and the role of the Speaker.
✓3⚖️ The government
The Prime Minister, cabinet, opposition, civil service and local government.
✓4🌐 The UK and international institutions
The Commonwealth, the Council of Europe, the UN and NATO.
✓5👮 Respecting the law
The law, the police, and how the UK responds to terrorism and extremism.
✓6🏛️ The role of the courts
Criminal and civil courts, magistrates, juries and the judiciary.
✓7🤝 Fundamental principles
Equal opportunities, and the UK's stance on forced marriage and FGM.
✓8💷 Taxation
Income tax, National Insurance, and the rules for driving in the UK.
✓9🏘️ Your role in the community
Values, responsibilities, and being a good neighbour.
✓10🙋 How you can support your community
Jury service, school governors, blood donation and other ways to contribute.
✓11🌱 Looking after the environment
Recycling, energy use and everyone's responsibility for the environment.
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