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GOVERNMENT OF THE UK. BACKGROUND. Unwritten Constitution Government Hierarchy: The Queen The Prime Minister Cabinet Ministers Ministers of Parliament (MPs). The Queen. Head of State Neutral Appoints Prime Minister - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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GOVERNMENT OF THE UKGOVERNMENT OF THE UK
BACKGROUND
• Unwritten Constitution
• Government Hierarchy:
1. The Queen
2. The Prime Minister
3. Cabinet Ministers
4. Ministers of Parliament (MPs)
The Queen
• Head of State
• Neutral
• Appoints Prime Minister
• Holds Royal Prerogative (now largely in the hands of Prime Minister or other government officials)
The Prime Minister
• Elected in First-Past-The-Post election by UK citizens
• Head of Government
• Selects Cabinet Ministers
• Accountable for policies
• Holds the most power in UK constitution
• Current Prime Minister = David Cameron
Cabinet
• Decision making body
• PM + 22 senior ministers selected by PM
• Leads the individual government departments (eg. Secretary of State)
• Advises the Monarch (Privy Council)
MPs
• Also elected in First-Past-The-Post election
• Lead constituency • Also work in parliament for their political
party• Some MPs from the governing party
selected by PM for cabinet• Concerned with considering and proposing
new laws
Houses of Parliament
• Two houses;
1. House of Commons
2. House of Lords
House of Commons
• Lower House (NB. Holds the most power)
• 650 elected MPs (including cabinet and PM)
• Where laws are proposed and considered
• Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQs) = Held every Wednesday
House of Lords
• Upper House
• ‘Constitutional Safeguard’
• Reviews and amends bills
• Most members appointed, not elected
• Parliament Act 1911 = Lord’s power to reject legislation reduced to delaying power
Limits to Government’s Power
• Judges
• Local Authorities
• Charity Commission
Devolved Governments
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland (NB. NOT Republic of Ireland)
Local Governments
• County, district and parish councils
• HM Government has influence over local authorities on financial powers and grants
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