The British political system: politics in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a democracy

The Head of the State is the Queen Elizabeth II

The monarch isn't elected

The monarch isn't a politician

She doesn't make laws

She hasn't any political power

They meet every week

They discuss politicy

Windsor is the name of the Royal Family

The Prime Minister is Theresa May

She is the head of the government

The government runs the country

It takes decisions on taxation

It proposes new laws

She lives in number 10 of Downing Street

She chooses about 22 poeple from her party to be ministers in the Cabinet

The Parliament

It's the most important part of the British political system

The seat is in London, in Westminster Palace, near the River Thames

House of Lords

There are about 800 members

They're called Peers

British population doesn't elect members of this House

People are all important, so they become members for life

House of Commons

There are 659 members

They're called Members of Parliament

British people elect members every 5 years

Members discuss new laws and they vote "yes" or "no". If most of the members vote "yes", the law goes to the House of Lords

Laws of the House of Commons can't be rejected by the House of Lords

Elections

There are general elections every 5 years

People only can elect the House of Commons

The population has to elect 659 members, because the United Kingdom is divided in 659 areas; each area is a constituency

Everybody over 18 can vote

National and regional power

The Scottish Parliament

The Welsh Assembly

The members of these assemblies can make local laws

Only, the Parliament in Westminster can make laws for all of the United Kingdom

The Northern Irish Assembly

People vote for their local Members of the Parliament

Members check new laws, give advice and ank for changes

The person who represents the country is a monarch, because it's a monarchy

Political parties

The political party with most of members in the House of Commons has to form the government

Sometimes there's a coalition goverment, but it isn't usual

There are three political parties

Labour party (left)

Conservative party (right)

Liberal Democrats Party (centre)