UK political system

The United Kingdom of Great Britain is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as head of State. The organs of government are: Parliament, the executive and the judiciary.

The legislature, Parliament, is the supreme authority. It comprises two chambers — the House of Lords and the House of Commons — together with the Queen in her constitutional role.

The executive consists of the central Government — that is the Prime Minister and the cabinet and other ministers, who are responsible for initiating and directing the national policy, government departments, local authorities and public corporations.

The judiciary determines common law and interprets status and is independent of both the legislature and the executive. The Government derives its authority from the elected House of Commons. A general election, for all seats in the House of Commons, must be held at least every five years. The Government is normally formed by the political party which is supported by the majority in the House of Commons. The party's leader is Prime Minister. He chooses a team of ministers, of whom 20 or so are the Cabinet. The second largest party becomes Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition with its own leader and "Shadow Cabinet". The House of Commons comprises members from the constituencies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who represent people whose history and traditions differ.

The House of Lords is a hereditary Chamber.

In Great Britain there is no written constitution, only customs, traditions and precedents.