Life in the UK Test Prep

The UK has an unwritten constitution, meaning that it's not written in a single document. The constitution is based on statutes (laws passed by Parliament), common law (court decisions), conventions (practices that aren't laws but are followed), and international treaties.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. This means that the monarch's powers are limited by laws and customs, and most political decisions are made by elected officials.

The monarch, currently King Charles III, is the head of state. While the monarchy's role is largely ceremonial, it holds certain powers known as Royal Prerogatives.

The monarch's duties include:

• Opening and dissolving Parliament
• Giving "Royal Assent" to laws passed by Parliament (formal approval, but a formality)
• Meeting with the Prime Minister and performing ceremonial duties

The line of succession is determined by birth, but the monarch must be a Protestant under the Act of Settlement 1701.

Parliament is the supreme legislative body in the UK. It is bicameral, meaning it has two houses:

The House of Commons

• Made up of Members of Parliament (MPs), elected by the public in general elections. There are 650 MPs.
• The primary legislative body, responsible for debating, creating, and passing laws.
• General elections are held every five years.
• The leader of the political party with the most MPs in the Commons usually becomes the Prime Minister.

Key responsibilities include creating and passing laws, scrutinizing the government, and controlling public spending (through the Budget).

The House of Lords

• Made up of appointed members (including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers). Members are not elected.
• Reviews and suggests amendments to legislation proposed by the Commons, but cannot block it indefinitely.
• Life Peers are individuals appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. They hold their position for life but cannot pass it on to descendants.
• Historically, positions were passed through family lines, but only a few hereditary peers remain today.

The Prime Minister is the head of government and is usually the leader of the political party that has the most seats in the House of Commons.

Duties include:

• Overseeing the running of the country
• Representing the UK internationally
• Leading the Cabinet and government departments

The monarch formally appoints the PM, though they must be able to command the support of the majority in the House of Commons.

The Cabinet

The Cabinet consists of about 20 senior ministers chosen by the Prime Minister to lead key government departments. It is the primary decision-making body of the government.

Key Cabinet positions include:

• Chancellor of the Exchequer: Manages the economy
• Home Secretary: Oversees crime, policing, and immigration
• Foreign Secretary: Manages relationships with foreign countries
• Other Secretaries of State: Responsible for areas such as education, health, and defence

The Cabinet meets weekly to discuss and make decisions on important national and international matters. Many of these decisions require debate or approval from Parliament.

Each department also has junior ministers (Ministers of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State) who manage specific areas within their department's responsibilities.

The UK has a multi-party system, but historically, two major parties dominate:

• The Conservative Party: Traditionally the right-leaning party
• The Labour Party: Traditionally the left-leaning party

Other notable parties include the Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party (SNP), and Green Party.

General Elections are held every five years to elect MPs to the House of Commons. The First Past the Post system is used, meaning the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins a seat.

The UK has devolved administrations for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and London. Each has different powers:

Scottish Parliament

• Located: Edinburgh
• Powers: Education, health, environment, justice. It can pass its own laws on these matters.

Welsh Parliament (Senedd)

• Located: Cardiff
• Powers: Education, health, environment, and local government.

Northern Ireland Assembly

• Located: Belfast
• Powers: Education, health, justice, and agriculture.
• Note: The Assembly has been suspended several times due to political disagreements.

Mayor of London

The Mayor and the London Assembly oversee policies on transport, policing, and the environment for London.

The Role of the Courts

The judiciary interprets the law and ensures fair trials. They are independent from government interference. Judges can challenge government actions if found illegal and make decisions in disputes between individuals or organizations.

Criminal Courts

• Magistrates' and Justice of the Peace Courts: Handle minor criminal cases. Magistrates are usually unpaid community members in England, Wales, and Scotland.
• Crown Courts and Sheriff Courts: Deal with serious offences. Use a jury system (12 members in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; 15 in Scotland).
• Youth Courts: For accused persons aged 10-17. Scotland uses the Children's Hearings System, while Northern Ireland has a youth conferencing system.

Civil Courts

• County Courts: Handle a wide range of civil disputes. In Scotland, most matters are dealt with in the Sheriff Court.
• Small Claims Procedure: An informal way to settle minor disputes. Claim limits vary by country (£10,000 in England and Wales, £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland).

Legal Advice

Solicitors are trained lawyers who provide legal advice and representation. It's important to find a solicitor with the right specialization. Resources for finding solicitors include Citizens Advice and the Law Society in each country.

• General Elections: Held every five years to elect MPs to the House of Commons.
• Local Elections: These elect councillors for local authorities.
• Devolved Elections: These elect members to the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• European Elections: The UK no longer participates in these after leaving the EU.

Voting Eligibility: UK citizens aged 18 or over are eligible to vote in general elections. Commonwealth and Irish citizens living in the UK can also vote.

The police enforce the law, prevent crime, and ensure public safety. They can arrest and detain individuals suspected of committing a crime, but must follow legal procedures.

Each part of the UK has its own police forces, and the police are accountable to the law, not the government.