The UK Government

Section 1 of 2

Section 1

The British Constitution

Constitutional Monarchy

The UK has a constitutional monarchy, meaning:

The Monarch

Currently King Charles III (became King in 2022)

Parliament

The UK Parliament is the supreme legal authority and consists of two houses:

The House of Commons:

650 elected Members of Parliament (MPs)
MPs represent constituencies across the UK
Elected in general elections held at least every 5 years
The party with most MPs forms the government
MPs debate and vote on laws

The House of Lords:

Unelected chamber of appointed members
Life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers
Reviews and revises laws
Cannot block laws indefinitely

Westminster

Parliament meets in the Palace of Westminster in London.

🔑Key Facts to Remember

650 MPs in House of Commons (elected)
House of Lords is NOT elected (appointed)
General elections: At least every 5 years
Charles III = current monarch (since 2022)
Elizabeth II = longest reign (1952-2022)

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The UK Government - Life in the UK Study Guide