🏛️How Parliament Works

The main parts of the UK's parliamentary democracy.

1. The monarch

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   The UK has a constitutional monarchy. The king or queen does not rule but is head of state, opens each parliamentary session and gives Royal Assent to Acts.

2. The House of Commons

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   The House of Commons is the more important chamber because its members, MPs, are democratically elected. Each MP represents a parliamentary constituency.

   the elected chamber is

3. The House of Lords

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   Members of the House of Lords, called peers, are not elected. The Lords checks laws passed by the Commons and holds the government to account.

   alongside it sits

4. The Prime Minister

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   The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party in power. He or she appoints the cabinet and lives at 10 Downing Street.

   the government is led by

5. The cabinet

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   The Prime Minister appoints about 20 senior MPs as ministers in charge of departments. Together they form the cabinet, which makes important decisions on policy.

   who appoints

6. The opposition

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   The second-largest party in the House of Commons is the opposition. Its leader appoints a shadow cabinet to challenge the government and put forward alternatives.