The Prime Minister

1. The Prime Minister (PM) is the leader of the political party in power.
2. The PM appoints cabinet members and controls many important public appointments.
3. The PM's official home is 10 Downing Street, in central London, near the Houses of Parliament.
4. The PM also has a country house called Chequers.
5. The PM can be changed if:
   • MPs in the governing party decide to do so
   • The PM resigns
   • The PM’s party loses a General Election

The Cabinet

1. The Prime Minister appoints around 20 senior MPs to lead government departments.
2. Key roles include:
   • Chancellor of the Exchequer – manages the economy
   • Home Secretary – handles crime, policing and immigration
   • Foreign Secretary – manages relationships with foreign countries
3. Other ministers are called ‘Secretaries of State’ and handle areas like education, health, and defence.
4. These ministers form the Cabinet, which meets weekly to make major government policy decisions.
5. Policies are often debated or approved by Parliament.
6. Departments may also have Ministers of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State.

The Opposition

1. The second-largest party in the House of Commons is called the opposition.
2. The Leader of the Opposition may become Prime Minister if their party wins the next General Election.
3. The opposition:
   • Highlights government failures
   • Questions the PM during Prime Minister’s Questions (held weekly when Parliament is sitting)
   • Appoints ‘shadow ministers’ to form a shadow cabinet and offer alternative policies

The Party System

1. Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election as an MP.
2. Most successful candidates are nominated by major political parties:
   1. Conservative Party
   2. Labour Party
   3. Liberal Democrats
   4. Other parties from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
3. MPs with no party affiliation are called ‘independents’ and usually represent local issues.
4. Political parties:
   • Encourage public to join debates
   • Rely on members to contribute funds
   • Hold annual policy conferences
   • Have branches in most constituencies

Pressure and Lobby Groups

These organisations try to influence government policy. Examples are -

• CBI (Confederation of British Industry) – represents British businesses
• Greenpeace – campaigns on environmental issues
• Liberty – works on human rights

The Civil Service

1. Civil servants support the government by helping to develop and implement policies.
2. They are also responsible for delivering public services.
3. Civil servants are accountable to ministers.
4. They are selected on merit and are politically neutral – not chosen because of politics.
5. People apply to join the civil service through an application process, like any other job.
6. Core values of the civil service:
   • Integrity
   • Honesty
   • Objectivity
   • Impartiality (includes being politically neutral)

Local Government

1. UK towns, cities, and rural areas are governed by democratically elected councils, known as ‘local authorities’.
2. Local authorities provide a wide range of public services and are funded by:
   • Central government money
   • Local taxes
3. Mayors:
   • Often ceremonial leaders
   • In some towns, the mayor is elected to lead the local administration
4. London:
   • Has 33 local authorities
   • Coordinated by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Mayor of London
5. Local elections for councillors are usually held in May each year.
6. Many candidates stand for election as members of political parties.

Devolved Administrations

1. Since 1997, some powers have been devolved from the central UK government to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
2. Purpose: To give these countries more control over local matters.
3. Devolved governments have control over many public services, like education.
4. Reserved matters (controlled by the UK Parliament) include:
   • Defence
   • Foreign affairs
   • Immigration
   • Taxation
   • Social security
5. Each devolved administration has its own civil service.

1. The Welsh Government

1. Based in Cardiff, capital of Wales.
2. Governing body: Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales.
3. Since 1999, elections every four years using proportional representation.
4. The Assembly has 60 Assembly Members (AMs).
5. Members can speak Welsh or English; publications are bilingual.
6. Since 2011, the Assembly can make laws on certain topics without UK Parliament approval.
7. Powers include:
   • Education and training
   • Health and social services
   • Economic development
   • Housing

2. The Scottish Parliament

1. Established in 1999, located in Edinburgh, capital of Scotland.
2. Has 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).
3. Elected using proportional representation.
4. Can legislate on all matters not reserved to the UK Parliament.
5. Powers include:
   • Civil and criminal law
   • Health
   • Education
   • Planning
   • Additional tax-raising powers

3. The Northern Ireland Assembly

1. Original Northern Ireland Parliament created in 1922, abolished in 1972.
2. Current Northern Ireland Assembly created after the Belfast Agreement (Good Friday Agreement) in 1998.
3. Works on a power-sharing agreement among main political parties.
4. Has 108 elected members, known as MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly).
5. Elected using proportional representation.
6. Powers include:
   • Education
   • Agriculture
   • The environment
   • Health
   • Social services
7. The UK government can suspend devolved governments. This has occurred several times in Northern Ireland.
8. The Assembly has run successfully since 2007.

The Media and Government

1. Parliamentary proceedings are:
   • Broadcast on television
   • Published in official reports called Hansard
   • Available online at www.parliament.uk
   • Also found in large libraries
2. Most people get political information from:
   • Newspapers (also known as ‘the press’)
   • Television
   • Radio
   • The internet
3. The UK has a free press, meaning:
   • Newspapers are free from government control
   • Editors and owners can express strong political opinions
   • Some run campaigns to influence Government policy and Public opinion.
4. Radio and television must follow legal requirements:
   • Coverage of political parties must be balanced
   • Equal airtime must be given to rival viewpoints

Who Can Vote?

1. The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928.
2. Voting age is 18, set in 1969.
3. Who can vote in all public elections:
   • UK-born and naturalised adult citizens
   • Adult citizens of the Commonwealth and Irish Republic resident in the UK
4. Adult citizens of other EU states (living in the UK) can vote in local and European elections, but not in General Elections.

The Electoral Register

1. You must be on the electoral register to vote in parliamentary, local, or European elections.
2. You can register by contacting your local council electoral registration office.
3. To check your local authority or register, visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
4. Registration forms are available in English, Welsh, and some other languages.

Annual Update Process

1. The electoral register is updated every September or October.
2. A form is sent to every household, to be returned with names of eligible residents.

Northern Ireland

1. Uses ‘individual registration’.
2. Everyone must complete their own form.
3. Registered individuals remain on the register unless their personal details change.
4. More info: www.eoni.org.uk

Viewing the Register

1. By law, local authorities must make the register available to the public (under supervision).
2. You can view it at:
   • Local electoral registration office
   • Some public buildings, like libraries

Standing for Office

Most citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic, or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public office.

Exceptions – People Who Cannot Stand for Office:

1. Members of the armed forces
2. Civil servants
3. People found guilty of certain criminal offences

House of Lords Rule

1. Members of the House of Lords:
2. Cannot stand for election to the House of Commons
3. Can stand for all other public offices

Visiting Parliament and the Devolved Administrations

The UK Parliament

1. The public can listen to debates in the Palace of Westminster from public galleries in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
2. You can get tickets by either:
   • Writing to your local MP in advance.
   • Queuing on the day at the public entrance.
   • Entrance is free. However, long queues can be expected for the House of Commons, with a wait of at least one to two hours.
   • It is usually easier to get in to the House of Lords.

Northern Ireland Assembly

1. In Northern Ireland, elected members, called MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly), meet at Stormont in Belfast.
2. To arrange a visit to Stormont:
   • Contact the Education Service (details are on the Northern Ireland Assembly website).
   • Alternatively, contact an MLA directly.

Scottish Parliament

1. In Scotland, the elected members, called MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament), meet at the Scottish Parliament building in Holyrood, Edinburgh.
2. For more information, visit the Scottish Parliament website.
3. To arrange tours or book tickets, contact visitor services:
   • Email: sp.bookings@scottish.parliament.uk
   • Phone: 0131 348 5200

National Assembly for Wales

1. In Wales, elected members, known as AMs (Assembly Members), meet in the Welsh Assembly in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
2. The Senedd is an open building, and you can book guided tours or seats in the public galleries for the Welsh Assembly.
3. Contact the Assembly Booking Service at:
   • Phone: 0845 010 5500
   • Email: assembly.bookings@wales.gsi.gov.uk