Guide contents
Booking and test day
  1. Test format
  2. Test fee
  3. Test ID
  4. Test validity
  5. Lost reference
Start learning
  1. First steps
  2. Settlement and citizenship
  3. Values and principles
  4. What is the UK?
History
  1. History overview
  2. Early Britain
  3. The Middle Ages
  4. Tudors and Stuarts
  5. A global power
  6. The 20th century
  7. Britain since 1945
Society
  1. Modern society
  2. The UK today
  3. Cities and currency
  4. Religion
  5. Customs
  6. Sport and culture
  7. Leisure
  8. Culture facts
Government and law
  1. Government overview
  2. Democracy
  3. Constitution
  4. Government
  5. International institutions
  6. Law and courts
  7. Rights and tax
  8. Community role

Study guide

The British constitution and Parliament

In short

The UK has a constitutional monarchy. The monarch is head of state, but elected government runs the country.

Test atoms

Learn these as compact test facts. Then practise recognising the same fact in different wording.

Atom Watch out for
The House of Commons is the elected chamber of Parliament where MPs sit House of Lords reviews laws but is not the elected MP chamber.
The monarch appoints the Prime Minister Learn the one test link before the full story.
The monarch is head of state and the Prime Minister leads the government Learn the one test link before the full story.
UK Parliament includes the House of Commons, House of Lords and the monarch Learn the one test link before the full story.

What not to over-learn first

  • Do not mix status with power. The monarch is head of state; the Prime Minister leads the government.
  • Do not mix the Houses. Commons = elected MPs. Lords = reviews and debates laws.

Spot the correct statement

The real test often asks you to recognise a correct sentence, not write an answer from memory. You should be able to spot statements like these:

  • The House of Commons is the elected chamber of Parliament where MPs sit.
  • The monarch appoints the Prime Minister.
  • The monarch is head of state and the Prime Minister leads the government.

Main roles

Role What to remember
Monarch Head of state
Prime Minister Appointed by the monarch; leads the government
Parliament Makes laws and checks government
House of Commons Elected chamber and more powerful chamber
House of Lords Reviews laws and suggests changes
Speaker Neutral chair of House of Commons debates

What to remember

  • A constitution is a set of principles and institutions by which a country is governed.
  • The British constitution is not contained in one single written document.
  • Main constitutional institutions include the monarchy, Parliament, Prime Minister, cabinet, judiciary, police, civil service and local government.
  • King Charles III is head of state and has reigned since September 2022.
  • The UK is a constitutional monarchy, so the monarch does not rule but appoints the government chosen through democratic elections.
  • The monarch invites the leader able to command a majority in the House of Commons to become Prime Minister.
  • The National Anthem is God Save the King.
  • The UK is divided into parliamentary constituencies, each represented by an MP.
  • The House of Commons is elected and is the more powerful chamber.
  • MPs represent constituents, make laws, scrutinise government and debate national issues.
  • The House of Lords is not elected by the public and includes life peers, some hereditary peers and Church of England bishops.
  • The House of Lords reviews laws and can suggest amendments, but the Commons can overrule it.
  • The Speaker chairs House of Commons debates and is politically neutral while serving as Speaker.
  • General Elections choose MPs and usually decide the government.
  • The UK Parliament sits at Westminster.

Do not mix these up

  • Constitutional monarchy means the monarch is head of state but does not rule.
  • The House of Commons is elected.
  • The House of Lords is not elected by the public.
  • Each parliamentary constituency has an MP.
  • Westminster is linked to the UK Parliament.
  • The National Anthem is God Save the King.

Key words

constitution, unwritten constitution, King Charles III, constitutional monarchy, National Anthem, God Save the King, Westminster, parliamentary constituency, MP, House of Commons, House of Lords, life peer, Speaker.

Practise this topic in government and law practice.

Quick check

Try from memory before opening the answer.

Which House of Parliament is elected?

The House of Commons.

Which House reviews laws and suggests changes?

The House of Lords.

What is the National Anthem?

God Save the King.

Who appoints the Prime Minister?

The monarch.