How the UK is Governed

Study focus: Memorise the numbers and names: 650 MPs, 129 MSPs, 60 SMs, 90 MLAs, 12 jurors except Scotland’s 15. GOV.UK says the test is based on the official Guide for New Residents.

Constitutional monarchy

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. This means the country has a king or queen as head of state, but the monarch’s powers are limited by law and convention. The monarch reigns; the Prime Minister governs. King Charles III is the current head of state, but he does not make political decisions. The Prime Minister and Cabinet run the government day to day, and the monarch acts on their advice.

The monarch’s ceremonial duties include opening Parliament each year with the King’s Speech (written by the government), giving Royal Assent to new laws, and meeting the Prime Minister regularly.

The House of Commons

The House of Commons is the elected chamber of Parliament. It has 650 Members of Parliament (MPs), each representing a constituency. MPs are elected using the “first past the post” system — the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins, even without a majority.

The political party that wins the most seats usually forms the government, and its leader becomes Prime Minister. The PM appoints a Cabinet of senior ministers to run government departments. The second-largest party forms the Official Opposition, led by the Leader of the Opposition.

General elections must be held at least every five years, though the PM can call one earlier.

The House of Lords

The House of Lords is the second chamber of Parliament. Its members are not elected — they include life peers (appointed by the monarch on the advice of the PM), hereditary peers (a small number retained after the House of Lords Act 1999), and bishops of the Church of England (the Lords Spiritual).

The Lords scrutinise and revise legislation passed by the Commons. They can suggest amendments and delay bills, but they cannot ultimately block legislation that the Commons is determined to pass. The Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 ensure the elected chamber has the final say.

Devolved administrations

Since 1997, the UK has devolved significant powers to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each has its own elected body and government that makes decisions on devolved matters such as education, health, and transport. Foreign policy, defence, and immigration remain reserved to the UK Parliament at Westminster.

The Scottish Parliament, based at Holyrood in Edinburgh, has 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). It has the power to vary the rate of income tax and legislates on education, health, and Scottish law.

The Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), based in Cardiff Bay, has 60 Senedd Members (SMs). It legislates on devolved Welsh matters including health, education, and the environment.

The Northern Ireland Assembly, at Stormont in Belfast, has 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). It operates under a power-sharing agreement established by the Good Friday Agreement (1998), requiring cooperation between unionist and nationalist parties.

The court system

The UK has an independent judiciary — judges are not controlled by the government. In England and Wales, the court hierarchy runs: Magistrates’ Courts (minor criminal cases) → Crown Court (serious criminal cases, with a jury) → Court of Appeal → Supreme Court (the highest court in the UK).

Scotland has its own legal system. Criminal cases go to the Sheriff Court or the High Court of Justiciary. Civil cases go to the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session. The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal for civil cases from Scotland.

Northern Ireland has a similar structure to England and Wales, with Magistrates’ Courts, a Crown Court, and a Court of Appeal.

The jury system

In serious criminal cases, a jury of ordinary citizens decides whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, a jury has 12 members. In Scotland, a jury has 15 members. Jurors must be on the electoral register, aged 18 to 75, and have lived in the UK for at least five years since the age of 13.

Jury service is a civic duty. If you are called, you are legally required to attend unless you have a valid reason to be excused. The verdict in Scotland can also be “not proven” — a third option not available elsewhere in the UK.

Local government

Below the national level, local councils provide services such as rubbish collection, libraries, planning permission, and social services. Councillors are elected by local residents. Local elections do not always coincide with general elections.

Most areas in England are governed by district, borough, or city councils. Some areas have combined authorities with elected mayors. London has the Greater London Authority, headed by the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.

Key Facts

• The UK is a constitutional monarchy — the King reigns but the PM governs
• The House of Commons has 650 MPs, elected by first past the post
• The House of Lords is unelected — members include life peers, hereditary peers, and bishops
• The PM is the leader of the party with the most seats in the Commons
• The Scottish Parliament has 129 MSPs (Holyrood, Edinburgh)
• The Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament) has 60 SMs (Cardiff Bay)
• The Northern Ireland Assembly has 90 MLAs (Stormont, Belfast)
• Court hierarchy: Magistrates’ → Crown → Court of Appeal → Supreme Court
• Juries have 12 members in England, Wales, and NI; 15 in Scotland
• Scotland has a “not proven” verdict not available elsewhere in the UK
• The Parliament Acts (1911, 1949) ensure the Commons has the final say over the Lords
• Foreign policy, defence, and immigration are reserved to Westminster

Study Note

For devolved body sizes, count down: 129 MSPs → 90 MLAs → 60 SMs. Or remember “Scotland is the biggest devolved parliament, Wales is the smallest.” Jury numbers: 12 everywhere except Scotland (15). For the court ladder, think “Magistrates handle Minor cases, Crown handles Criminal trials with juries, then Appeal, then Supreme.”