UK Parliament & Government Overview

Study Notes

UK Parliament & Government

Act of Parliament: Law passed by the UK Parliament (House of Commons, House of Lords, Royal Assent)
Amendment: Formal change to a law or bill
Backbenchers: MPs without government/opposition frontbench roles
Bill (Public): Proposal for new law/change to existing law, introduced in Parliament
Bill of Rights (1689): Limits monarchy power, affirms parliamentary rights.
Buckingham Palace: Official residence of the British monarch.
Cabinet: Senior government ministers, chosen by the Prime Minister, head government departments.
Commonwealth (20th century): Political association of former British colonies.
Constituency: Geographical area represented by an MP in the House of Commons.
Constitution (Unwritten): Principles and laws defining government structure; based on statutes, conventions, history.
Constitutional Monarchy: Monarchy with limited powers by law/constitution.
Convention: Established practices/customs; not legally binding, but influential.
The Crown: The monarchy, symbolizing the state.
Division (Aye/No lobby): Parliamentary vote, MPs vote in lobbies.
Glorious Revolution (1688): Overthrow of King James II, strengthening Parliament.
Hereditary Peer: Aristocrat inheriting title/seat in the House of Lords.
House of Commons: Elected lower house of UK Parliament, debates/passes most legislation.
House of Lords: Upper house, appointed/hereditary members (life peers, bishops).
Lady Diana: Princess Diana, known for charity work.
Life Peer: Title for lifetime, not inherited, typically appointed by the monarch.
Lord Speaker: Presides over House of Lords, maintains order.
Lords Spiritual: Church of England bishops in the House of Lords.
Lords Temporal: Non-clerical members of the House of Lords.
Member of Parliament (MP): Elected representative in the House of Commons.
Minister: Government member heading a department/function.
Queen Elizabeth II: Monarch of the UK (1952-2022).
Queen's Speech: Monarch's speech at State Opening of Parliament, outlines government's legislative agenda.
Question Time: Parliamentary session, MPs question government ministers.
Parliament/Westminster: Supreme legislative body; located in Westminster, London.
Peerage/Peer: Title of nobility, confers privileges/responsibilities (House of Lords).
Prime Minister: Head of UK government, usually leader of majority party.
Prince Charles: Heir apparent, later King Charles III.
Prince William: Son of Prince Charles, second in line to the throne.
Royal Assent: Monarch's formal approval of a bill, making it law.
Shadow Cabinet: Senior opposition MPs, scrutinize/provide alternatives to government policy.
The Speaker (of the House): Presides over House of Commons debates, maintains order.
State Opening of Parliament: Ceremonial event marking the start of parliamentary session.
Two-Party System: Political system dominated by two major parties (e.g., Conservative/Labour).
Whip: MP/House of Lords member ensuring party discipline, voting instructions.
White Paper: Government document outlining proposals for future policy/legislation.
Windsor Castle: Official residence of the British monarch.

Key Concepts: Definitions

Key Concepts: Words and terms detailed above.

Description

This quiz covers key concepts related to the UK Parliament and government structure, including important terms such as Act of Parliament, constitutional monarchy, and the role of backbenchers. Test your knowledge about how the UK governance functions and the historical context of its laws.