Chapter 5 · The UK government, the law and your role
The UK and international institutions: Life in the UK test study notes
The UK belongs to several international organisations. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent countries, most of them once part of the British Empire, with the monarch as its head. Its members share values such as democracy, the rule of law, good government, equality and human rights. It has no power over its members but can suspend them. The Council of Europe, which is separate from the European Union, protects human rights in its member countries. It cannot make laws but draws up conventions, the best known being the European Convention on Human Rights. In 1957, six countries signed the Treaty of Rome, which created the European Economic Community. The UK joined in 1973 and left the European Union, as it had become, on 31 January 2020. Another body the UK belongs to is the United Nations, founded once the Second World War had ended to promote peace. The UK holds one of the five permanent seats on its Security Council. The UK also belongs to NATO, whose European and North American members have agreed to defend each other if attacked.
Key facts to remember
- Commonwealth – a voluntary association of countries, most once part of the British Empire; the monarch is its head.
- Commonwealth values – democracy, the rule of law, good government, equality and human rights.
- Commonwealth powers – the Commonwealth holds no authority over its member countries, although it can suspend them.
- Commonwealth membership – 54 in the handbook; 56 since Gabon and Togo joined in 2022.
- Council of Europe – separate from the EU; protects human rights. It had 47 members in the handbook, and 46 since Russia's expulsion in 2022.
- European Convention on Human Rights – drawn up by the Council of Europe, not the EU.
- 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 – founded once the Second World War had ended, with the aim of preventing war and promoting peace; more than 190 countries are members.
- The UK is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, which has 15 members in all and recommends action in international crises.
- NATO – countries in Europe and North America that have promised to defend one another against attack.
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These notes summarise the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), which all the test questions come from. Try the free chapter 5 questions.