Key Players in the UK Political System

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Questions and Answers

What is the current role of the Monarch in appointing the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament?

The Monarch has no role in appointing the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament

The Monarch appoints the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament through the Civil Service

The Monarch has absolute power to appoint anyone

The Monarch exercises this power on the advice of elected politicians and government (correct)

What does the term 'The Crown' refer to in the context of the UK political system?

The monarch's personal authority and power

The Judiciary's authority in interpreting laws

The government's authority, derived from the monarch's original powers (correct)

The Parliament's authority in making laws

What is the significance of the monarch's royal assent to legislation?

The monarch's assent is a formality, with no real impact on the legislation

The monarch's assent is required for legislation to be enacted, but it is always granted (correct)

The monarch has the power to veto any legislation they disagree with

The monarch's assent is only required for certain types of legislation

What was the role of the monarch before the change in the UK political system?

The monarch had absolute power to make and enforce laws Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the monarch and the government in the UK political system?

The monarch's powers are exercised on the advice of the government Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the House of Lords in the UK's legislative process?

To hold debates, scrutinise and revise legislation, and suggest amendments to the House of Commons Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the Civil Service in the UK's government system?

To support the government of the day, providing operational, advisory, and implementation functions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the judiciary in the UK's system of government?

To adjudicate on and resolve legal disputes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the executive government in the UK's system of government?

To form and implement policies, and run the country Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'ping pong effect' in the UK's legislative process?

To ensure that both houses of Parliament approve legislation before it becomes law Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the Prime Minister in the UK's system of government?

To form the cabinet and deploy the armed forces Signup and view all the answers

What is the cabinet responsible for in the UK's system of government?

To make collective decisions on how to run the country Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a Member of Parliament (MP) in the UK's system of government?

There is no definitive legal definition of an MP's role Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Civil Service in relation to the government's policies?

To provide policy advice and support to Ministers Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the Civil Service and the government?

The Civil Service is mutually accountable to the government, and must follow its decisions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The UK Political System

The UK political system is made up of five key players: the Monarch, Parliament, Government, Civil Service, and Judiciary.

The Monarchy and the Crown

The Monarch is the UK head of State, but no longer holds absolute power.
The Monarch still has some legal and constitutional powers, exercised on the advice of elected politicians and the government.
These powers include appointing the Prime Minister and MPs, dissolving Parliament, and giving royal assent to legislation.

The Legislature/Parliament

The UK Parliament is divided into two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
The House of Commons is made up of 650 elected MPs, who hold debates, scrutinize legislation and government spending, and scrutinize the government.
The House of Lords is made up of 800 appointed Lords, who hold debates, scrutinize and revise legislation, and suggest amendments to the Commons.
Both houses must give approval for legislation to be passed.

The Executive Government/Central Government

The executive is the body that makes and implements policies across the areas that the state is responsible for.
The executive includes the Prime Minister and their cabinet, who are chosen from the party that wins a general election.
The PM and cabinet are accountable for ensuring that government policies are implemented.

The Civil Service

The Civil Service is an independent body that supports the government of the day, running the country.
Civil servants are politically impartial and permanent officials who provide operational support for government policies.
Their three main functions are: operational running of government policies, policy advisors/minister support, and implementing policy/projects.

The Judiciary

The Judiciary's purpose is to adjudicate on and resolve legal disputes.
The Judiciary can only interpret laws in a manner compatible with Parliament's intentions.

The UK Government

The term "government" is ambiguous and can refer to central decision-makers or all government-run organizations and institutions.
The Prime Minister's role includes appointing/dismissing Ministers, forming the Cabinet, organizing government and civil service into departments, deploying the Armed Forces, and representing the UK internationally.

The Cabinet

The Cabinet is the central decision-maker, comprising senior Ministers in charge of Government departments.
The Cabinet makes collective decisions on how to run the country, with each Minister responsible for a specific area.

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Description

Learn about the main components of the UK's political system, including the Monarch, Parliament, Government, Civil Service, and Judiciary. Discover the roles and responsibilities of each institution and how they interact with one another.