UK political system Flashcards
what makes up the UK political system?
monarch parliament government civil service judiciary
what is the monarch?
UK head of state
still has some legal/constitutional powers
used to be the ultimate authority
what was previously royal authority is now government authority
what makes up parliament?
house of commons and house of lords
what is the house of commons?
made up of 650 elected politicians
Members of parliament
each MP represents a constituency
what is the house of lords?
government forms part of HOC
made up of 778 appointed lords (peers)
no role in formation of government
what is the government? (executive)
the body that makes and implements policies across the areas the state is responsible for
PM and cabinet ministers
what is the civil service?
the bureaucratic body that supports the government of the day, essentially running the country
politically impartial, permanent officials
what is the civil services main functions?
operational running of government policies
policy advisors
implementing policy/projects
what is the judiciary?
purpose is to adjudicate on and resolve legal disputes
can only interpret in a manner compatible with parliament’s intentions
what is cabinet?
central decision maker
made up of the most senior ministers, those who are in charge of government departments
PM and cabinet are mostly MPs in the HOC so there is an overlap between parliament and government
what are government departments?
manage and develop areas that government and PM are accountable for
civil servants make sure that government departments are run according to current policy
PM can make and abolish government departments
how is statute created?
- HOL or HOC suggests a new bill
- both must debate and agree to the bill becoming law
- might suggest amendments
- once both agree to wording it goes to the Queen for royal assent
what did the parliamentary act 1911 do?
limited power of HoL
- delaying power was limited to 2 years
- money bills cannot be amended by the house of lords
what did the parliamentary act 1949 do?
- originally rejected by the house of lords but was passed under PA 1911
- delaying power of house of lords was reduced to 1 year
what were the facts of R (on the application of Jackson) v Attorney General
claimants argued that the Hunting Act 2004 was invalid because it had been passed under the PA 1949, which was also invalid as it had been passed under PA 1911 which meant there was no consent from HOL
there is not constitutional reason or rule preventing legislature from changing its own constitution
