In this topic
What to be able to answer
- Know why the British constitution is described as unwritten.
- Recognise the main constitutional institutions.
- Separate the monarch's ceremonial role from government policy decisions.
- Recall King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, the anthem, and the citizenship oath.
Learn
An unwritten constitution and the role of the Crown
A constitution is a set of principles by which a country is governed. It includes all of the institutions that are responsible for running the country and how their power is kept in check. The constitution also includes laws and conventions.
The British constitution is not written down in any single document, and therefore it is described as ‘unwritten’. This is mainly because the UK, unlike America or France, has never had a revolution which led permanently to a totally new system of government. Our most important institutions have developed over hundreds of years.
In the UK, there are several different parts of government. The main constitutional institutions are: the monarchy; Parliament (the House of Commons and the House of Lords); the Prime Minister; the cabinet; the judiciary (courts); the police; the civil service; and local government. In addition, there are devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that have the power to legislate on certain issues.
Main constitutional institutions
The monarchy
Parliament: the House of Commons and the House of Lords
The Prime Minister and cabinet
The judiciary, police and civil service
Local government and the devolved governments
King Charles III is the head of state of the UK. He is also the monarch or head of state for many countries in the Commonwealth. The UK has a constitutional monarchy. This means that the king or queen does not rule the country but appoints the government, which the people have chosen in a democratic election. The monarch invites the leader of the party with the largest number of MPs, or the leader of a coalition, to become the Prime Minister.
The monarch has regular meetings with the Prime Minister and can advise, warn and encourage, but the decisions on government policies are made by the Prime Minister and cabinet.
Monarch vs Prime Minister
The monarch is head of state; the Prime Minister runs government.
- Head of STATE
- Symbol of the nation
- Advises, warns, encourages
- Does not rule the country
- Hereditary position
- Opens Parliament each year
- Last refused Royal Assent: 1708
- Head of GOVERNMENT
- Runs the country day-to-day
- Leader of largest Commons party or coalition
- NOT directly elected as PM
- Creates and implements policy
- Leaves if their party loses power
- Appoints Cabinet ministers
Test trap: Monarch = state, PM = government.
The King has reigned since his mother's death in September 2022. He is married to Queen Camilla. His eldest son, Prince William (the Prince of Wales), is the heir to the throne.
The King has important ceremonial roles, such as the opening of the new parliamentary session each year. On this occasion the King makes a speech which summarises the government's policies for the year ahead. All Acts of Parliament are made in his name. The King represents the UK to the rest of the world, receiving foreign ambassadors and high commissioners, entertaining visiting heads of state, and making state visits overseas.
The National Anthem of the UK is ‘God Save the King’. It is played at important national occasions and at events attended by the King or the Royal Family.
New citizens swear or affirm loyalty to the King as part of the citizenship ceremony. The oath of allegiance pledges faithfulness and true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, his Heirs and Successors, according to law.
Do not mix up
Practise
Check this topic
Preparing three random questions from this topic.