The lesson
The UK is a parliamentary democracy. Voters elect an MP for each parliamentary constituency. The party that wins a majority of seats normally forms the government; if no party has a majority, parties may agree to govern together in a coalition. The monarch invites the leader best placed to command Commons support to become Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister leads the government and appoints ministers to lead departments. Senior ministers form the cabinet, which agrees major government policies. The civil service is politically impartial and supports ministers in running departments and putting decisions into practice.
Local councils make decisions and provide services for their areas. Depending on the nation and council, these can include education, housing, roads, and waste collection. Devolved governments also make decisions on matters transferred to them, so a service may be organised differently across the UK.
Use the official Parliament website to find your MP by postcode and obtain current contact details. MPs can be contacted by email, letter, telephone or at a constituency surgery. For devolved representatives, use the official Scottish Parliament, Senedd or Northern Ireland Assembly directories.
The Prime Minister leads the government and appoints ministers. The Cabinet is a group of senior ministers responsible for major departments and collective government decisions. Civil servants support the work of government and are expected to serve the government impartially.
Local councils provide services such as rubbish collection, local planning, libraries, and some social services. Responsibilities vary by area and by the type of council. A councillor is elected to local government; an MP is elected to the UK Parliament. They do not hold the same office.
The police investigate crime and help protect the public. The NHS provides healthcare. Schools, councils, courts and government departments each have different jobs. Knowing who to contact depends on the problem.
The Prime Minister’s official home is 10 Downing Street in London; Chequers is the country residence. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for the economy, the Home Secretary for areas including crime, policing and immigration, and the Foreign Secretary for relations with other countries. The Prime Minister appoints ministers, with senior ministers forming the Cabinet. Prime Minister’s Questions allows MPs to question the Prime Minister while Parliament is sitting.
Pressure and lobby groups try to influence policy. Examples include the Confederation of British Industry, Greenpeace and Liberty, which focus on business, the environment and civil liberties respectively. Civil servants are appointed on merit and serve ministers politically impartially. Their core values are integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Political parties recruit members, campaign and debate policy at conferences.
Councils receive funding through central grants and local taxes. Some areas have county and district councils; others have one main authority. A mayor may be ceremonial or an elected executive leader. Parliamentary debates are broadcast and recorded in Hansard. A free press can scrutinise public decisions; broadcast political coverage is subject to rules on due impartiality.