Structure of the Central Government of the UK

Overview of UK Government
parliamentary democracy
based on universal suffrage
also a constitutional monarchy
ministers of the Crown govern in the name of the Sovereign, who is both Head of State and Head of the Government
no ‘written constitution’(rely on statute law, common law and conventions)

Basic Structure of Government
Monarch
(Sovereign)
Legislature
Judiciary
Parliament
House of Lords
Civil Service
House of Lords
House of Commons

Monarch
The Sovereign: the constitutional head of State
No longer exercises political power, but performs symbolically:
presiding over the State Opening of Parliament, giving Royal Assent of agreement to any new law etc.
Keeping in touch with the Prime Minister by a weekly meeting

Legislature:
Legislative body: Parliament of Britain
Located in Westminster
Parliament consists of the House of Lords & the House of Commons
Government’s policies can become laws only if approved by both Houses.

Main Function of Parliament
to pass laws
to provide - by voting for taxation - the means of carrying out the work of government,
to scrutinise Government policy and administration, including proposals for expenditure,
to debate the major issues of the day.

House of Lords
Members
Before the reform:
Composed of hereditary peers, senior judges and church figures, and some life peers appointed by the Queen.
After the reform:
Members can no longer inherit their titles. More members will be elected through the society.

House of Lords
Function
legislative: taking part in the laws making
Judiciary: the highest court of UK, playing important role in judicial part.

House of Commons
Members
659 Members of Parliament (MPs), elected by the people from the 659 constituencies
Re-elected when a new government is formed.
The chief officer of the House of Commons is the Speaker, elected by MPs to preside over the House.

House of Commons
Power
Most legislative power rests with it.
The leader of the party which has the most MPs becomes the Prime Minister and selects his Cabinet among MPs.

House of Commons
Function
Debating issues of national and international importance.
Supervising Government by questioning.
Controlling Government income and spending
Able to alter or oppose proposed new laws.

Executive
Executive body: the Sovereign, Prime Minister & Cabinet
Dealing with regular national and international affairs
Making decisions of new policies
Supervising departments of the government

Prime Minister
PM: the leader of the political party which wins the majority of seats in Parliament.
Selecting the cabinet from their own party in the House of Commons
Responsible for the conduct of national affairs directly
His authority comes from support in the House of Commons.

Cabinet
Members
consists of about 20 ministers chosen by the Prime Minister Selected by the Prime Minister
Members of Commons
Sit on the “front benches” in the House of Commons

Cabinet
Function
It balances ministers' individual duties with their collective responsibility as members of the Government and takes the final decisions on all government policy.
Cabinet Committees include those dealing with defence and overseas policy, economic policy, home and social affairs, the environment, and local government.

Civil Service
Servants of the Crown
Non-political group
Career officials who remain in office despite changes in government
Offering advice about the possible consequences of policy
Responsible for implementing the policies of Government

Judiciary
The House of Lords is the ultimate appeal court in the UK
The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor heads the judiciary and sits on the judicial committee of the House of Lords. He also presides over the upper House in its law-making role and, as a senior Cabinet minister, heads the Department of Constitutional Affairs.