Government, parties and voting

This page is about the working government.

Learn it in this order

• Prime Minister
• Cabinet jobs
• Opposition and shadow cabinet
• Civil service
• Local government
• Devolved administrations

The idea

This page is about the working government.

Learn job by job. Who leads? Who challenges? Who stays politically neutral? Which powers are local or devolved?

Test facts to know

• The Prime Minister is the leader of the party in power and appoints the cabinet.
• The Prime Minister’s official London home is 10 Downing Street and the country house is Chequers.
• The cabinet is made up of about 20 senior ministers who lead government departments and make major policy decisions.
• The Chancellor manages the economy, the Home Secretary covers crime, policing and immigration, and the Foreign Secretary manages foreign relationships.
• The opposition is usually the second-largest party in the House of Commons.
• The shadow cabinet challenges government policy and suggests alternatives.
• Civil servants support ministers, deliver public services and must be politically neutral.
• Local authorities provide local services and are funded by central government and local taxes.
• The Greater London Authority and Mayor of London coordinate policies across London.
• Since 1997 some powers have been devolved to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• The Senedd is based in Cardiff and has 60 members.
• The Scottish Parliament sits in Edinburgh and has 129 MSPs.
• The Northern Ireland Assembly was established after the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and has 90 MLAs.
• Hansard records parliamentary proceedings.
• The UK has a free press; broadcast political coverage must be balanced.
• Voting and standing for office depend on citizenship, age and electoral registration rules.

How questions may test it

• Identify roles of Prime Minister, cabinet, opposition and shadow cabinet.
• Match major cabinet jobs to responsibilities.
• Distinguish civil service from political appointments.
• Identify devolved legislatures and their locations.
• Recognise Hansard and balanced broadcast coverage.
• Understand who can vote and how voting is organised.

Key terms

Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, Chequers, cabinet, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, opposition, shadow cabinet, civil service, local authorities, Mayor of London, devolved administrations, Senedd, Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly, MSP, MLA, Hansard.