Parliament and government for the Life in the UK test: how British democracy works

How Britain became a democracy

In a democracy, the adult population has a say in how the country is run. People vote directly, or they elect representatives to decide for them. Britain became a modern democracy slowly, not all at once.

• For the test, the voting age is 18, as the handbook says. Since 2016 in Scotland and 2021 in Wales, 16- and 17-year-olds have been able to vote in devolved elections.

Around 1800

Only men could vote for MPs. They had to be over 21 and own property worth more than a set value.

1832

The Reform Act gives more people the vote. It takes seats away from 'rotten boroughs', places with very few voters, and gives more seats to towns and cities.

1830s and 1840s

The Chartists campaign for a vote for every man, secret ballots, annual elections, constituencies of equal size, paid MPs and the right of any man to become an MP. At the time, their campaign is seen as a failure.

1918

By now most of the Chartists' demands have become law. Women over 30 gain the right to vote.

1928

Women can vote at 21, the same age as men.

1969

The voting age is lowered from 21 to 18.

The British constitution

• A constitution sets out the principles by which a country is run. The UK's constitution is called 'unwritten' because it is not set out in a single document. Instead, the rules come from Acts of Parliament, conventions and court rulings.
• One reason is that the UK has never had a revolution that permanently created a completely new system of government.
• The key institutions are the monarchy, Parliament (the House of Commons and the House of Lords), the Cabinet, the Prime Minister, the judiciary, the police, local government and the civil service.

The role of the monarch

The UK is a constitutional monarchy. The king or queen is head of state but does not rule the country, although every Act of Parliament is made in the monarch's name. The handbook refers to Queen Elizabeth II. Since 2022, King Charles III has been the monarch.

Forming a government

After a general election, the monarch asks the leader of the party with the most MPs, or the leader of a coalition, to form a government.

The King's Speech

At the State Opening of Parliament, the monarch reads a speech written by the government. It sets out the government's plans for the new session. The handbook calls it the Queen's Speech.

Meeting the Prime Minister

The monarch meets the Prime Minister regularly, traditionally once a week, and may advise, warn and encourage. Decisions on government policy are made by the Prime Minister and cabinet.

Representing the UK

The monarch welcomes foreign ambassadors and high commissioners, entertains visiting heads of state and makes state visits abroad. The monarch is also head of the Commonwealth.

The national anthem

'God Save the King' ('God Save the Queen' in the handbook). It is played at important national occasions and at events the monarch attends.

Oath or affirmation

New citizens swear an oath of allegiance, which refers to God, or make an affirmation, a solemn promise with no religious wording. Both are now made to King Charles III.

Parliament: the House of Commons and the House of Lords

Constituencies

The UK is divided into areas called constituencies. The voters in each constituency elect one MP (Member of Parliament).

House of Commons

The more important chamber, because its members are democratically elected. The Prime Minister and most members of the cabinet sit there.

What MPs do

MPs represent everyone in their constituency, help to make new laws, scrutinise what the government is doing and debate important national issues.

House of Lords

Its members are called peers. They are not elected and do not represent constituencies. Most are life peers, and some senior Church of England bishops also sit there. The Lords checks laws passed by the House of Commons to make sure they work as intended. It can suggest changes or propose new laws, but the Commons can overrule it.

1958

The Prime Minister gains the power to nominate life peers, whose titles are not passed on. Before this, peers were hereditary, senior judges or bishops.

1999

Hereditary peers lose their automatic right to sit in the House of Lords. A small number stayed on, but since 2026 no one has sat in the Lords because of a hereditary title.

The Speaker

A neutral MP who chairs debates in the House of Commons and keeps order. MPs elect the Speaker in a secret ballot.

Whips

MPs who keep discipline in their party and make sure members attend to vote.

Hansard

The official published report of what is said in Parliament. Anyone can also watch debates for free from the public galleries.

Elections and voting

• General elections are held at least every five years. The candidate with the most votes in a constituency becomes its MP. This system is called 'first past the post'. A by-election is held in one constituency if its MP dies or resigns.
• The party with the most MPs normally forms the government. If no party wins an overall majority, two parties can govern together as a coalition.
• Adult UK, Irish and Commonwealth citizens who live in the UK can vote in all public elections. You must be on the electoral register. In Northern Ireland, each eligible voter fills in their own registration form (individual registration).
• On election day, polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm. If it is hard to get to a polling station, you can register to vote by post.
• The handbook says only voters in Northern Ireland must show photo ID. Since 2023, photo ID has also been needed in Great Britain for UK Parliament elections.
• Candidates must be 18 or over to stand for election as an MP. Canvassers may knock on your door at election time, but you never have to tell them how you plan to vote.

The Prime Minister, cabinet and opposition

Prime Minister

Normally the leader of the largest party. Their official home is 10 Downing Street in London, and Chequers is their country house.

The cabinet

About 20 senior MPs chosen by the Prime Minister to run government departments. The cabinet usually meets weekly.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

The cabinet minister responsible for the economy.

Home Secretary

The cabinet minister responsible for crime, policing and immigration.

Foreign Secretary

The cabinet minister who manages the UK's relationships with other countries.

The opposition

The party with the second-largest number of MPs. Its leader usually becomes Prime Minister if the party wins the next election.

Shadow cabinet

Senior opposition MPs chosen by the Leader of the Opposition. They hold the government to account and propose other policies.

Prime Minister's Questions

A weekly session while Parliament is sitting, when the Leader of the Opposition and other MPs question the Prime Minister.

Independents

MPs who do not belong to one of the main parties, often standing on an issue that matters in their constituency.

Pressure and lobby groups

Organisations that try to influence government policy. For example, Greenpeace campaigns on the environment and Liberty on human rights.

The civil service

Civil servants help the government to develop and carry out its policies. They are appointed on merit and are politically neutral. Their core values are integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Local government

• Local councils are elected bodies. In most areas, elections for local councillors are held every May.
• Many councils have a ceremonial mayor, and some towns and cities elect a mayor.
• Councils pay for local services with money from central government and from local taxes.

Devolved governments

Since 1999, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have had their own parliaments or assemblies, with power over areas such as education. England has none of its own and is governed from Westminster. The UK government keeps control of defence, foreign affairs and immigration.

Scottish Parliament

Set up in 1999. It sits at Holyrood in Edinburgh and can make laws on any matter not reserved to Westminster, such as civil and criminal law, health and education.

Welsh Parliament (Senedd)

Meets in Cardiff. The handbook calls it the Welsh Assembly, with 60 members. It was renamed in 2020 and has had 96 members since 2026.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Meets at Stormont in Belfast. Power is shared between the main parties. It had 108 members in the handbook, cut to 90 in 2017.

Good Friday Agreement, 1998

Also called the Belfast Agreement. It led to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Taxation and social security

The handbook says these stay with the UK government. Since 2016, Scotland has gained powers over income tax and some benefits, and Wales sets some income tax.

The media and politics

• The UK has a free press. By law, TV and radio must give balanced coverage of political parties, with fair time for rival viewpoints.
• Political parties get free party political broadcasts, but they cannot buy advertising on TV or radio.

Contacting your MP

• You can write to or phone your MP at their constituency office or their office in the House of Commons.
• Many MPs hold regular local meetings called 'surgeries', where you can raise concerns face to face. These are often advertised locally.
• Contact details for your MP are available from your local library and on www.parliament.uk.

The UK and international institutions

The Commonwealth

A voluntary association of countries, most of them once part of the British Empire. The monarch is its head. Its values are democracy, the rule of law, good government, equality and human rights. It has no power over its members, but it can suspend them. It has 56 members (54 in the handbook).

Council of Europe

Separate from the European Union. It protects human rights and drew up the European Convention on Human Rights. It cannot make laws.

1957

Six countries sign the Treaty of Rome, creating the European Economic Community.

1973

The UK joins the European Economic Community.

31 January 2020

The UK leaves the European Union.

United Nations

Set up after the Second World War to prevent war and promote peace. More than 190 countries are members.

UN Security Council

It has 15 members and recommends action in international crises. The UK is one of its five permanent members.

NATO

Countries in Europe and North America that have agreed to defend each other if attacked.