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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
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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 • 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; • House of Commons • 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