Levels of Government
Central Regional
Local
Central Government • Operates at national level • Located in London • Duration of five years - a general election can be held for a new House of Commons. • Roles include: – Signing treaties – Making laws – Defending the nation
Parliament's role • Examining and challenging the work of the government (scrutiny) • Debating and passing all laws (legislation) • Enabling the government to raise taxes
Monarchy • Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II • Constitutional monarchy and Head of State • Functions: – – – – –
Opens new sessions of parliament Dissolves parliament Final approval of laws via ‘royal assent’ Appointment of PM and peers Advice and guidance to PM
House of Commons Lower house Democratically elected body 646 members known as MPs Members are elected and represent an electoral district known as a constituency • Annual salary of each Member is £59,095 • • • •
Current composition • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Labour Conservative Liberal Democrats Ulster Unionists Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru Social Democratic & Labour Party Democratic Unionist Party Sinn Fein Independent Independent Labour Respect The Speaker (Stands as "Speaker seeking re-election") and 3 Deputies
352 196 63 1 6
The 646 MPs include 126 women and 15 from ethnic minorities
3 3 9 5 2 1 1 4
House of Lords • • • •
Upper house or second chamber Acts as a check on House of Commons 730 members 4 different types of Lords: – Life peers – Law lords – Bishops and Archbishops – Hereditary peers