Edexcel Citizenship Revision Guide

Theme B: Democracy at work in the UK

Theme B: Democracy at work in the UK overview

Key questions explored:

 Who runs the country? (1-3)

 How does Parliament work? (4-6)
 How is power shared between Westminster and the devolved administrations? (7)
 How does government manage public money? (8)

Who runs the country? (1-3)

1. Parties and candidates

 The key philosophical differences between the major political parties standing in UK
general elections.
 How candidates are selected to stand for a constituency.

2. Elections and voting systems

 The concept of democracy; representative democracy (democracy via elections) and
direct democracy (democracy via referendums) and the strengths and weaknesses
of each.
 How the Westminster-first-past-the-post system operates; who can and cannot vote
in general elections and why; debates about extending the franchise. The frequency
of general elections.
 How the regional list system for European Parliament elections operates; the impact
of this on which parties are represented compared with UK general elections.
 The strengths and weaknesses of the first-past-the-post voting system compared
with proportional representation.

3. Forming and organising the work of government

 The process of forming a government, including the role of the monarch in
appointing a government. What happens when no single party can form a
government and a coalition government is formed.
 The organisation of government administration into departments, ministries and
agencies staffed by civil servants.

Democracy at work in the UK

Key Terms:

Canvassing = when people try to persuade others to vote for their party in an election.

Constituency = the area represented by an MP.

Direct democracy = a form of democracy in which everyone votes on every decision in a referendum.

First past the post = an electoral system where voters have one vote in their constituency and the
candidate with the most votes win.

General election = an election for a new government. In the UK, these take place at least every five
years.

Hustings = a meeting at which candidates in an election speak to the voters.

Referendum = a vote by the whole electorate on a particular issue.

Representative democracy = a form of democracy in which people elect a representative to make

decisions for them.

Closed-list system = a form of PR in which a party puts forward a list of candidates in the order they
will be elected.

MEP = Member of the European Parliament.

Proportional representation = an electoral system in which the number of seats a party wins is
roughly proportional to its share of the votes in an election.

Back benchers = MPs who do not hold office in the government or opposition; they sit on the back
benchers in the House of Commons.

Cabinet = a group of MPs who head major government departments. It meets weekly to make
decisions about how government policy will be carried out. Senior Ministers from the Lords are also
represented.

Coalition = a government made of more than one party. It is formed when no one party has enough
seats to form a government.

Front benchers = MPs who hold office in the government or opposition. They sit on the front
benches in the House of Commons.

House of Commons = the more powerful of the two parts of the British Parliament. Its members are
elected by the public.

Opposition = political parties that are not in power.

Prime Minister = the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons and the leader of the
government.

Shadow Cabinet = MPs from the main opposition party who ‘shadow’ MPs who head major
government departments.

Speaker = the MP elected to act as chairman for debates in the House of Commons.

Bi-cameral = the UK Parliament is bi-cameral because it has two Houses, the House of Commons and
the House of Lords.
Black Rod = the person who has ceremonial duties in the Palace of Westminster, including bringing
MPs to the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament.

The executive = makes policy and puts it into practice. It is made up of the Prime Minister, Cabinet
and Civil Service.

The judiciary = makes judgements about the law. It is made up of judges and magistrates in courts.

The legislature = makes laws. It is made up of the House of Lords and House of Commons.

Minister of State = an assistant to the Secretary of State.

Secretary of State = an MP who is in charge of a government department such as health or defence.

Accountable = if you are accountable for something, you are responsible for it and have to explain
your actions.

Act of Parliament = a law passed by Parliament.

Bill = a proposal to change something into law.

Green Paper = this puts forward ideas that the government wants discussed before it starts to
develop a policy.

White Paper = this puts government policy up for discussion before it becomes law.

Assembly = a body of people elected to decide on some areas of spending in a region.

Devolution = the transfer of power from central to regional government.

British constitution = the laws and conventions which set down how the UK is governed.

Judicial review = a review carried out by the High Court to decide whether a decision made by a
public body has been made properly.

Parliamentary inquiry = an enquiry set up to investigate actions taken by government departments

and public bodies.

Parliamentary sovereignty = Parliament is the top legal body and can pass new laws or stop old laws.

Select committee = one of the committees that check and report on the work of government
departments.

Budget = the process each year when the Chancellor of the Exchequer explains how the government
will raise and spend its money.

Chancellor of the Exchequer = the member of the government who is responsible for the country’s
finances.

Government revenue = the money raised by the government.

Anarchy = a system where no form of government operates. When there is a total breakdown in
society, for example, after a civil war a state of anarchy is said to exist.

Dictatorship = rule by one person or group. This group is all-powerful. Often associated with a
military takeover of a state.
One-party state = a state where only one political party exists and runs the country; often associated
with a communist form of government; for example, North Korea.

Theocracy = where religious leaders run the state.

Freedom = the ability to act, speak or think as one thinks.

Civil Service = employees of the state who administer our public policy.

Manifesto = a document produced by a political party at the time of an election outlining the policies
it would like to introduce.

The monarchy = a system of hereditary power, which is passed down a family line. In the UK we have
a constitutional monarchy, where the head of state is a monarch, but most of their powers have
been transferred to the government and the monarch is seen as a neutral national symbol. Currently
the monarch is Queen Elizabeth II. Her son Charles is next in line to the throne. A constitutional
monarch has limited powers and works within the constitution of their country.

Tiers = another term for levels of government.

Devolved and reserved powers = devolved powers are those transferred by the UK government to
the devolved governments. Reserved powers are those which are still held by the UK government.

The Electoral Commission = a government-established body that monitors and oversees all UK
elections and referendums.

Voter apathy = a lack of interest by citizens in the electoral and political process.

Voter turnout = the percentage of voters who do vote against the total number who are registered
to vote.

By-election = an election held in a seat after the retirement or death of the sitting member.

Constituencies = a named geographical area consisting on average of about 65,000 voters which
elects a single MP to the UK parliament.

Departmental select committees = committees of the House of Commons made up of MPs who
monitor the work of a government department and publish reports on the work of the department.

PMQs = 30 minutes each Wednesday when the Prime Minister faces questions from MPs in the
chamber of the House of Commons. Six questions are allocated to the Leader of the Opposition.

Question Time = the time allocated each week in parliament where ministers face Questions from
Members of Parliament and are held to account for their actions.

Lord Speaker = the Speaker of the House of Lords.

The Speaker = a Member of Parliament elected by other members to chair the proceedings of the
House of Commons and manage the business of the House.

Democracy is a type of government based upon What is democracy?

the principle that all people are equal and
collectively hold power. The term derives from What should be the elements that make up a
the ancient Greek words ‘demos’ meaning democracy? What freedoms are associated with
people and ‘kratos’ meaning strength/power, democracy. They include:
There are 650 Members of Parliament, or MPs. They
have all been elected to represent a part of the country Check your understanding:
known as a constituency. If you want to become an MP,
1. How many MPs are there in the House of
you need to be selected in a competitive process. The
Commons? (1 mark)
parties have different ways of doing this but, in general,
2. What is the name for the area
you have to put yourself forward, be selected by the
represented by an MP? (1 mark)
parties and then offer yourself to a constituency which
3. Do all candidates represent one of the
you would like to represent. There will be interviews
main political parties? Explain your
and hustings, where you have to stand up and explain
answer. (2 marks)
what you believe and why you want to be the MP for
4. What other forms of government exist
this constituency. If the party members like what they
beside democracy? (3 marks)
hear, you will be selected to be their candidate. If you
win the election, you then become the MP who
represents everyone in the area.

A few people stand as independents and therefore do

not go through the party system.

The UK is a representative democracy, so You have all seen posters everywhere at

everyone who is entitled to vote takes part. We election time. A general election takes place
elect people who make decisions for us. Direct every five years. The political parties know
democracy is another system in which everyone when it is going to be and plan well ahead.
Democracy does not stand in isolation. As a concept Each constituency elects one MP using the first-
it is supported by a range of other concepts, past-the-post (FPTP) election system. Each voter
principles and values that over time have enabled who is registered on the electoral register votes
the UK to establish a good strong democratic either on polling day at a local polling station or
government. Within a democracy citizens have via post or allows a proxy, another person, to
certain rights, but alongside rights come vote on their behalf. Voters exercise the vote by
responsibilities. The state in a democracy ensures putting an X against the candidate of their
that there is a range of freedoms. Increasingly, choice and then placing their vote in a ballot
society has been concerned about inequalities and box. The whole process is what is called a ‘secret
has strived to ensure that society is based upon the ballot’ because the ballot paper cannot be easily
concept of equality: that is, equal treatment. associated with a voter.

The rule of law is vital in a democracy, as citizens The candidate elected under this electoral
must know that the legal system is not controlled by system is the candidate who has the most votes.
government or politicians and is impartial and treats There is no requirement to have a certain
all citizens fairly and equally. percentage of the vote or so many votes more
than the next candidate or to have the support
of a majority of voters or a majority of those
Up until 2010, it was up to the Prime Minister to decide
who voted. The phrase ‘first past the post’ is
the date of the next election. Unless forced into calling
taken from horse racing, where the winner is the
an election by a vote of no confidence in the House of
first to cross the line whether it is by a nose or a
Commons, the Prime Minister would choose a date that
mile. A majority of one over the next candidate
suited their party’s re-election. A General Election had
is enough to win.
to be held within five years of the previous election.

In 2011, the Parliament Act fixed the dates of future

elections. The UK currently has fixed-term parliaments Under the first-past-the-post system some seats are
like many other countries. For example, the President of called ‘safe’ seats because they are unlikely to
the USA is elected every four years in November, taking change hands at the next election.
First-past-the-post has both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages are:

 The system is simple to use.

 Extremist parties are unlikely to be elected as they won’t be able to win enough votes in any one
constituency.
 The result becomes clear very quickly, so the winning party can take over government as soon as the
election is over.

The disadvantages are:

 People can be elected on a minority of the vote.

 Governments are elected on a minority of the vote.
 Smaller parties are under-represented as they don’t have enough support in each constituency.

Proportional representation (PR) means that the number

of seats a party wins is roughly proportional to the votes
it receives in an election.

There are many different sorts of PR, but they all work in
this way. For example, if the House of Commons had 600
members and the Greens got 10 per cent of the vote they
would expect to have 60 MPs.

The advantages of PR are:

 No votes are wasted – every vote does help elect

someone.
 The number of seats the parties win reflects the
percentage of votes cast for each party.

The disadvantages of PR are:

In the 2015 General Election, UKIP gained 3.8
 Coalition governments are more likely. million votes, 12.6 per cent of the vote, but
 Results can take time to count. won only one seat under the FPTP system. The
 This
Essay system often leads to many parties electing
question: winning party, the Conservatives, achieved 11.3
candidates. million votes, 36.9 per cent, and won 331
‘Proportional
 The elected representation must
MP has no local beinused
link a bigfor all constituencies.
UK elections.’ (15 marks)
constituency.

Check your understanding:

1. Give two advantages of FPTP. (2 marks)

Every five years, there are elections for the European 2. Give two disadvantages of FPTP. (2 marks)
Parliament. In the UK we elect 73 Members of the 3. Explain the proportional representation
European Parliament (MEPs). There are 12 electoral voting system. (4 marks)
regions in the UK. Each region has between 3 and 10 4. Give two advantages of PR. (2 marks)
MEPs. MEPs are elected in England, Scotland and Wales 5. Give two disadvantages of PR. (2 marks)
by a system of PR known as the closed-list system. Each
party in each region puts forward a list of people in the
order they will be selected. The ballot paper shows the
Number of votes Percentage of vote Number of MEPs
(millions) (%) elected
UKIP 4.3 27.4 24
Labour 4.0 25.4 20
Conservative 3.7 23.9 19
Green 1.2 7.8 3
Scottish National Party 0.3 2.4 2
Liberal Democrat 1.0 6.8 1

Check your understanding:

1. Which electoral system is used for

European elections in England, Scotland
and Wales? (1 mark)
2. Give one advantage of the system used for
European elections. (2 marks)
3. Give one disadvantage of the system used
for European elections. (2 marks)

What influences how people vote?

The UK now has a multi-party system where there are still
 The newspaper they read two major parties but also a number of other parties which
 Age, gender and ethnicity achieve a sizeable vote at a general election. In 2010, no one
 Social class party won a majority of seats, so a coalition government
 Party’s policies and image was formed between the Conservatives and Liberal
 What friends think Democrats, who had won 57 seats at the 2010 General
 Religious beliefs Election.
 Location

Party Number of MPs Total party vote Percentage of the

elected (millions) national vote
Conservative 331 11.3 36.9
Labour 232 9.3 30.4
Liberal Democrat 8 2.4 7.9
UKIP 1 3.9 12.6
Greens 1 1.1 3.8

General Election results 2015

Traditionally politics has been described using terms like right and left, capitalist or socialist, mixed
economy or free market. Today the divisions and philosophical differences between the parties are
less apparent. Politicians have believed that to win elections they need not only to attract their own
voters be they a right-wing or left-wing party but also appeal to voters in the centre in order to get
enough votes to win the election. This has led voters often not being able to see much difference
between the views and policies of the two major parties. Tony Blair famously re-launched the Labour
Check your understanding:

1. State two factors that influence

how people vote. (2 marks)
2. What is meant by the term multi-
party system? (2 marks)
3. What three political philosophy
terms were used to describe
political parties in the UK? (3 marks)

Three traditional political philosophy terms were used in the

UK to describe our political parties.

 Socialism – associated with the Labour Party, based on

common ownership, a belief in community and
equality.
 Conservatism – associated with the Conservative
Party, based upon tradition, duty and authority and
property.
 Liberalism – was associated with the Liberal Party Theresa May, current Prime Minister and
which was concerned about human rights and leader of the Conservative Party.
The term Tories (Tory)
individual is still
liberty, used as
freedom andshorthand
tolerancefor
andthe
consent.
Conservative Party. On 13 July 2016, two days after becoming
Leader of the Conservative Party, May was
appointed Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth
II, becoming only the second female British
 Thinks that people should be able to make Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher, and
decisions for themselves. It prefers to interfere the first female British Prime Minister of the
as little as possible. People should own the 21st century.
businesses and services that we need and
should be free to make a profit.
 Think that taxes should be as low as possible so
Theresa May
people can choose how to spend their money.
Prime minister and Leader of the
If people are buying the services that Conservative Party
government usually provides, they will improve ‘Together we will build a better Britain.
because there will be competitors providing the I will deliver the strong and proven
services. With lower taxes, the government will leadership the country needs to steer us
be able to provide less. through what will be difficult and uncertain
 Think that strong communities are built economic and political times.
We need to negotiate the best deal for
through maintaining traditional values and
Britain in leaving the EU and to forge a new
ensuring that laws are kept, and that people role for ourselves in the world.
who break the law should be treated harshly. Brexit means Brexit and we’re going to make
 Thinks that the Monarchy and the House of a success of it’.
Lords are important in the way the country
runs. They should be left alone and laws should
not be influenced by the European Union.
 Thinks that services should be provided by the
government working with private companies. The Jeremy Corbyn is a British politician who
government should provide funding for schools has been Leader of the Labour Party and
and hospitals so that everyone has access to the Leader of the Opposition since 2015. He
services they need. has been the Member of Parliament
 Thinks that taxes should be used to help close the (MP) for Islington North since 1983.
gap between rich and poor. People who earn a lot
should pay more tax than those who don’t earn
very much. The money raised in taxes should then ‘We have a vision for a country that
be used to provide services for everyone. works for the many, not just the
 Thinks that people should have rights in society privileged few. And we have a plan to
but should also have responsibilities. make this vision a reality’.
Communities will be strong if people respect each
Check your understanding:
other.
 Thinks that the European Union is important to
1. What are the main features of the Labour and Tina McKay, Candidate for Colchester
the UK and that the country should work together
EssayConservative
question: parties’ beliefs? (8 marks)
with all the other European Union countries.
2. Who is the leader of the Conservative Party? (1
‘The UK only needs one political party.’ (15 marks)
mark)
3. Who is the leader of the Labour Party? (1 mark)
The Liberal Democrats are the only party fighting to keep
Britain open, tolerant and united.

Open means open-hearted, open-minded, forward-

Sir John Vincent Cable is a British politician
looking, modern, green, internationalist and pro-
European. We believe Britain is at its best when it is serving as Leader of the Liberal Democrats
creative, innovative and outward-looking, comfortable in and Member of Parliament for Twickenham
the fast-changing modern world and open to the since 2017. He was the Secretary of State for
opportunities and challenges of globalisation and the Business, Innovation and Skills from 2010 to
digital revolution. 2015.

Tolerant meanstodiverse,
If you want becomecompassionate
an MP at Westminster, and generous.
the Each political party has its own methods of
Werequirements
will always fight injustice
are: and stand up for the selecting candidates and this may vary
underdog, the outsider, the individual, the minority and ‘The Liberal Democrats
depending on the typeare of the only party
election a person is
the vulnerable against the powerful.
 You must be at least 18 years’ old fighting to keep Britain open, tolerant
being selected for. For selecting a candidate and to
Check  You
your must be
understanding:either a British citizen, a citizen of united. We want to give all our children
stand for a parliamentary election, a local partya
United means we will always put the interests of the
the Republic of Ireland or an eligible brighter future in
will advertise in aa fairer
party Britain
journalwhere people
for those
whole United Kingdom first. We reject the divisions in
1. What does the Queen
Commonwealth ask the leader of the winning party? are
citizen. (1 mark)
decent totoeach other,
society, whether between young and old, urban and interested apply. Theywith good schools
normally have toand
be on
2. What happens if the answer is
rural, leave and remain, or between regions and nations. ‘Yes’? (2 marks) hospitals, a clean environment and
You the list of candidates approved byan innovative
the national
3. cannot
We believe What stand
we are
in more than
is a stronger
coalition? –(2
one constituency at the
asmarks)
communities, as a economy.’
same UK Parliamentary General Election. party before they can put their names forward.
country 4. and
Whatas are the requirements
a world – when we work if you want to
together inbecome
our an MP at Westminster? (2 marks)
A selected group of local party workers will draw
common interest.
The following are disqualified from standing: up a shortlist after interviewing a number of
We believe in Opportunity. That everyone, no matter candidates to put to the local party membership.
 a Civil
For new servants
MP, taking your seat in the House of MPs have a range of responsibilities.
what your background, should have the same chance in A ‘returning officer’, a trained mediator from
 Members
Commons is an of police
exciting forces
event. After
life. We want to fight injustice, reduce inequality and what might be another local party branch who represents the
breakyears Members
down ofthe
waiting of
tothe
barriers be
that armed
elected, forces
joiningback,
hold people the body
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national party, normally oversees the whole
Government-nominated
 the
it is inruns
schools, the workplace
country is a big or directors
anywhere
moment. of commercial
people are and all the people who live in the constituency.
process. The potential candidates are invited to
denied a fair chance.
companies MPs divide their time between working in
MPs attend a meeting of party members. They
 debate
Judges new laws and policies in the House of Parliament, in their constituency and working
Commons. Sometimes debates become furious and address the meeting and answer questions.
 Members of the legislature of any country or for their political party. Some MPs hold
the Speaker has to act the veryCommonwealth
firmly to keep things in Through the returning officer they also send a
territory outside ministerial posts or shadow ministerial posts
order. On occasion, anandMPcan canvote
be temporarily leaflet to all party members asking for their vote.
 Peers who sit in in the House of with specific responsibilities, which take up a lot
thrown out of the House of Commons if things get Some parties have experimented with what are
Lords of their time. In recent years, there has been a
out called ‘open primaries’ where any local resident
 ofBishops
hand. MPsof thegenerally
Churchvote with the
of England party
who aretoentitled lot of controversy about the pay and expenses
whichtothey belong, can vote at a meeting, not just party members.
sit and votebut sometimes
in the House ofthey follow their
Lords. of MPs and their outside interests.
conscience. This is often a very expensive exercise. People
Thevote byTelegraph
Daily post or atpurchased
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files the returning
showing
whatofficer
MPsishadresponsible
claimed infor countingThese
expenses. the votes and
declaring
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would then be refunded. Following the
When Parliament is in session, MPs spend a lot of financial crash of 2008, these claims struck a
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2014/15 Parliament sat for 133 days. This work supported
how MPsby a large
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and what allowances they
formtoatheir
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government?’ If the They
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Someof
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discuss their problems.
new Prime Minister. have tobut
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work outmany
today
2010
how they
also
as a result
can work
of carry out
this scandal.
The office is currently held by John Bercow, who
was initially elected on 22 June 2009, following
the resignation of Michael Martin.

Government in the United Kingdom is organised and

delivered via government departments (ministries).

Some ministerial departments are listed below:

 Department for Education

 Department for Work and Pensions
 Department of Health
 Department for Transport
 Department of Energy and Climate Change
 Home office
 Ministry of Defence

Government ministers who are accountable to

Parliament run the government departments and also
work with many agencies and public bodies.
The civil service helps the government develop and implement its policy. The civil service also provides
services directly to the public, including running prisons, employment services, the benefits and pension
system, and issuing driving licences. In recent years, the number of civil servants has declined as more
government services are provided on an agency basis and their employees are then not directly employed
civil servants.

Civil servants are politically neutral, are impartial and remain in post when governments change. They are
also anonymous to the public.

The civil service is made up of 25 professions, from engineers to procurement managers to lawyers. In 2015,
there were 431,000 civil servants in post. The Senior Civil Service (SCS) is made up of the top 3600 civil
servants who devise policy and advise ministers. Civil servants in this group earn between £60,000 and
£140,000.

Much of the work of Parliament is done in

committees of either House or joint
committees of both Houses. There are
committees established to consider draft
legislation. Regarding accountability, in
1979, the House agreed to set up
departmental select committees that
maintain oversight over the work of each
government department. In the House of
Lords, select committees are concerned
with five main policy areas: Europe,
science, economics, communications and
the UK constitution. Each of the House of
Commons select committees has a
minimum of eleven members and now the
majority of the chairs of these committees
are elected; the number of chairs is
allocated by party size in Parliament.
These committees have full powers to call Members of Parliament can also take part in
witnesses and demand answers to their parliamentary debates. Debates enable MPs and Lords
questions. The government must respond to discuss government policy, propose new laws and
to the reports of the committees within 60 current issues. At the end of a debate there can be a
days. division when a vote has to be taken. The opposition
parties are allocated days when they can propose
motions for debate.
Check your understanding:

1. Why are Department Select Essay question:

How does Parliament
Committees work?
important? (4-6)
(4 marks)
2. What is the civil service? (2 marks) ‘The Prime Minister is too powerful. There are not
4. The Westminster Parliament
3. State two enough checks on what’s being done.’ (15 marks)
 ministerial departments.
The distinction (2
between executive, legislature, judiciary and monarchy.
marks) The roles of the Houses of Commons and Lords and the relationship between them; the
process of parliamentary debate and deliberation of public issues as part of the process
of making and shaping policy and legislation.
 The roles of prime minister, cabinet and ministers, the opposition, speaker, whips front
bench and backbench MPs and the ceremonial role of Black Rod; the role of an MP in
representing constituents’ interests.

5. Making and shaping law

 How a bill becomes law: debate in the House of Commons and the House of Lords;
scrutiny by committees; royal assent.

6. The Constitution
 The institutions of the British constitution: the power of government, the prime minister
and cabinet; the roles of the legislature, the Opposition, political parties, the monarch,
citizens, the judiciary, the police and the civil service.
 That the UK has an uncodified constitution and examples of how this is changing
including as a result of devolution and membership of the EU.
 The concept of parliamentary sovereignty; checks and balances, including the role of
judicial review; how Parliament holds government to account through oversight and
scrutiny.

There are three key terms that relate to elements that Whilst the judiciary is supposed to be
make up our government system and the way it operates. separate and independent of the other two
elements, it can become ‘political’ by the
The legislature is the body that makes law. In the case of decisions it makes. If the government does
the UK it is Parliament sitting in Westminster, made up of not like the interruption by the judges or the
the House of Commons and the House of Lords. way the law has been interpreted, it can
The executive is the branch of government made up of the review the situation and draft new laws or
The role of the House of Lords is to debate and revise The monarch appoints a Prime
legislation from the House of Commons. It can also propose Minister after each General
legislation (normally about uncontroversial issues) and it Election. The monarch each year
carries out scrutiny functions similar to the House of formally opens Parliament and
Commons, especially in regard to legislation proposed by the reads the Queen’s Speech. It is
European Union. At times, there are also joint committees of actually written by the government
both Houses. and sets out its legislative
programme for the next twelve
The House of Commons is the more important of the two months. The monarch formally
chambers of Parliament. It is an elected chamber currently dissolves Parliament before a
made up of 650 members. The government is formed on the General Election. When a bill is
basis of the elections held to this chamber. The main function passed by Parliament, the monarch
of the House of Commons is its ability to be able to vote the formally agrees it – when it is given
policy of the government into legislation. In the last resort, the the Royal Assent. This changes a bill
House of Lords can only delay legislation for twelve months. into an Act of Parliament, making it
The will of the House of Commons is always supreme. a law. The last time a monarch
refused to give Royal Assent was in
The third element of our Parliamentary system is the
1707.
monarchy. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy
and citizens of the UK are subjects of the monarch. The role of
the monarchy today is largely ceremonial. Monarchy is a
traditional form of government whereby power is passed Check your understanding:
down through the family line, normally the male side of the
1. Explain the role of the monarch?
family. In the UK, this was recently changed to follow the
(3 marks)
oldest child of the monarch, either male or female.
2. State two countries who still have
Over hundreds of years the power of the monarchy has been a monarch with absolute power. (2
transferred to the elected government. Some countries still marks)
have a system of government based upon the monarch having 3. Which chamber is more
absolute power. Examples include: Quatar, United Arab important? (1 mark)
Emirates, Brunei and Swaziland. 4. When was the last time a monarch
refused to give Royal Assent? (1
mark)
Parliament passes laws that determine how we live Laws go through several stages before
our lives. By electing a government, we give it the coming into force. The government often
power to do this. If people break the laws, they can puts out a Green Paper, which puts forward
be punished. The government is given authority ideas for future laws. Once the ideas have
because the population accepts that an election is a been made final, a White Paper is published.
fair way of deciding who will hold power for a five- This lays out the government’s policy. To
year period. turn policy into law, the proposals are
introduced to Parliament in the form of a bill.
The government is accountable because it has to
answer to the voters. If voters do not like what is
happening, the government will not be re-elected.

First reading – the bill is introduced formally in the House of Commons. Before it reaches this stage, it has been
worked on by a drafting committee to make sure that it is put together correctly. A bill can be many pages long. At
this stage there is no debate.
It is important that laws are put together, or ‘drafted’ Most bills are introduced by the
carefully, because there are always some people who government. Sometimes the parties are in
want to find a way of avoiding them. If a law can be agreement and all goes smoothly, but
interpreted in a different way, it will be very hard to often the opposition seriously disagrees
enforce. either on the policy as a whole or on
aspects of it. This leads to lengthy debate
Check
whenyour understanding:
the opposition tries to persuade the
government to accept changes – or
1. What is the difference between a bill
There are different types of bill: amendments – to the bill.
and an Act? (2 marks)
Public bills – these change the law as it applies to 2. What sort of things do committees
the entire population and are the most common have to pay attention to when making
type of bill. They are proposed by government amendments to bills? (2 marks)
ministers. 3. Why do you think there are so many
stages before a law is made? (2 marks)
Private bills – these are usually promoted by 4. Explain the process of making a new
organisations, like local authorities or private law. (8 marks)
companies, to give them additional powers. They 5. What is meant by the term
only change the law in regard to that one ‘accountable’? (2 marks)
organisation or body. 6. Explain the difference between a
‘Green Paper’ and a ‘White Paper’. (4
Private members’ bills – a form of public bill as they
marks)
affect the entire population, but cannot involve
7. What are three different types of bill. (3
raising taxation. They are introduced by MPs and
marks)
Lords who are not government ministers.

As with any organisation, club or team there has to The British Constitution comes from a
be a set of rules by which the organisation is run. In number of sources, which together tell is
relation to a state, this set of rules is called a how the country should be run.
constitution. Often when the phrase is used, people
think about the American Constitution which is a  Conventions – tell us a range of
written document dating from the eighteenth things that have developed over
century that is still the working document for how time.
America is governed today.  Common law – is made by judges.
When they make decisions in court
The phrase the ‘British Constitution’ is often used, they sometimes change the law.
but no such formal document exists. The United  Statute law – is law that has been
Kingdom has what is known as an unwritten, passed by Parliament over a long
uncodified constitution. Unlike, for example the USA, period.
The way that the branches of government are kept Select committees also check up on the
separate means that each one keeps a check on the work of Parliament. Every government
others. department has a select committee that
watches over the decisions it makes. They
Judicial review is a further check. A court’s decision
gather evidence and produce reports. Each
can be challenged if it is suspected that it has not
department has 60 days to reply to the
been properly made. Here are some examples of
comments of its select committee.
the sort of decisions that are challenged:
Parliamentary inquiries can be requested if there
is concern
 Localthatgovernment
the government isn’t about
decisions doing welfare
something properly.
benefits andThe Children’s
special Society, for
education
example, requested an
 Immigration enquiryabout
decisions on thewhether
care of Check your understanding:
children people
of asylumcanseekers. Thecountry
stay in the report it produced
1. Are there checks and balances on
gaveadvice to the about
Decisions government on changes
prisoners’ rights. that
the government? What are they?
should be made.
(3 marks)
2. Explain how a judicial review
works. (2 marks)
3. Why are Department Select
How is power shared between Westminster and the devolved administrations? (7)

7. Government in constituent parts of the UK

 The powers of devolved bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
 How relations are changing between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,
including views on devolution and independence.
The term devolved government is used to describe Devolved powers and decisions that the UK
the concept of devolution. This is the transfer of Parliament controlled in the past, but are now
power from one body to another; normally from the handed over to the devolved bodies, like the
centre to locality. From 1997, the momentum for Scottish Parliament.
devolution in the UK increased. In 1998, a
referendum was held and Scotland voted for a Reserved powers are those still taken by the
Scottish Parliament with the authority to have tax- UK Parliament on behalf of all parts of the
Devolution to English regions has been put to local Each ofKingdom:
United the devolved bodies has
for example, differing
defence and
varying and law-making powers. The Welsh people
referendums, but no region has voted for the powerspolicy.
foreign due to the degree of devolution
also voted for an Assembly and power over policy
devolved powers on offer. they were granted by the Westminster
areas. The Good Friday Agreement in Northern
Ireland was followed bytowards
a referendum in 1998 which Parliament. There had been a Northern
Currently, the move more devolved power
re-established devolved government in Northern Ireland Parliament from 1921 until 1972
in England has centred around councils agreeing to Scotland voted strongly for its
Ireland. when direct rule by Westminster was
work together under a directly elected mayor. If this Parliament, which has the ability to raise
introduced, so it had a tradition of
is agreed with central government, some taxes and pass laws. There are constant
At times, there
Devolution have
in the UKbeen
createdtensions in theParliament
a national UK Parliament
in devolved powers. Scotland voted in its
government funds and decision-making – mainly debates about how much power the
on the ability,
Scotland, especially
a national of Scottish
Assembly Westminster
in Wales MPs, to
and a national referendum for a Parliament and tax-
about economic development and infrastructure – Parliament should have. This was
vote on English
Assembly issues: Ireland.
in Northern for example, education or health.
This process raising powers so it has been granted a
are transferred to the new combined authority. brought to a head in a referendum in
English MPs are
transferred, andunable
continuesto vote on the way
to transfer, similar
varying levels high degree of devolution and the ability
policies may have 2014 when the Scots were asked if they
of power from theanUKimpact on Scottish
Parliament to thepeople because
UK’s nations. to pass laws.
these are policy areas wanted independence. The vote was
The UK Parliament stillthat
hasare
thedevolved to the Scottish
ultimate authority and
Parliament. This has led many MPs to narrowly
The Welsh lost butwas
Assembly thegiven
Scottish
theParliament
least
could if it wished abolish or amend thecall for English
current
votes for English
arrangements. laws. This has proved very controversial powers, but these have been increased. over
was given considerably more power
because MPs representing Scottish seats claim they are taxation,inelections
The majority and
Wales for social policy
devolution wassuch
now second-class MPs in the House of Commons. as drugs and drink driving.
very small.

The Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly The Scottish Parliament, also known by the name
for Wales took responsibility for their devolved ‘Holyrood’, is in Edinburgh. It is a democratically
powers on 1 July 1999. The Northern Ireland elected body of 129 members (Members of the
Assembly followed on 2 December 1999. The Scottish Parliament – MSPs) who are elected for a
Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended at four-year term. The Scottish Parliament has the
midnight on 14 October 2002. Power was restored to powers to pass legislation within its areas of
the Northern Ireland Assembly on 8 May 2007. devolved powers. The majority party or a coalition
of parties if there is no majority forms a
Since the original transfer of powers, new legislation
government under the First Minister and operates
has seen additional powers devolved to Scotland,
under a cabinet system.
Wales and Northern Ireland.
Check your understanding:

1. What is devolution? (4 marks)

2. What’s the difference in the amount of power held by the Essay question:
Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly? (4 marks)
3. Why do some people want to have regional governments? ‘Devolution means that better decisions
(2 marks) are made for a region because they are
4. Make a case for all local councils having a directly elected made locally.’ (15 marks)
mayor. (6 marks)
5. Define the term ‘reserved powers’. (2 marks)
6. Where is the Welsh Assembly based? (1 mark)
7. What does MSPs stand for? (1 mark)
How does government manage public money? (8)

8. Taxation and government spending

 How direct and indirect taxes are raised by central government.
 The role of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in budgeting for income, expenditure
and debts, managing risks and making decisions about the allocation of public
funding.
 Different views and debates about how governments and other service providers
make provision for welfare, health, the care of the elderly and education.
The government needs to raise money to pay Direct tax is charged directly out of your income, e.g.:
for public services – and most of this comes
 Income tax and National Insurance are
from taxes.
deducted from your salary and interest on
savings. The more you earn, the more you
pay.
Indirect tax is charged on things that you buy,  Inheritance tax is collected from part of the
e.g.: amount of money left to someone in a will.
 Capital gains tax is collected from your profit
 VAT (Value Added Tax) is added to the
when you sell things like buildings, land or
price of many goods and services.
company shares.
 Excise duty is an extra tax on the price of
 Corporation tax is collected from the profits of
alcohol, tobacco, petrol and diesel (to
businesses.
try to discourage people from buying
them).
The government The main areas of government spending 2015/16:
Road tax spends taxesduty
is an excise on providing
for using
important services
public roads.so that they are available
Social
Sources ofprotection
government - £231
income,billion
2015/16:
to everyone.
 Personal social services - £30 billion
 Income
 Health - £141taxbillion
- £170 billion
 Transport - £28 billion contributions - £115 billion
 National Insurance
 Excise -duties
 Education - £47 billion
£99 billion
Check your understanding:  Corporation
 Defence tax - £42 billion
- £45 billion
 VAT -agriculture
 Industry, £133 billionand employment - £24 billion
1. State two direct taxes. (2 marks)  Business
 Housing rates - £28 billion
and environment - £28 billion
2. State two indirect taxes. (2 marks)  Council
 Public ordertaxand- £28
safetybillion
- £34 billion
3. Give three areas of government spending. (3 marks)  Other
 Other (taxes)EU
(including - £65 billion
transactions) - £48 billion
 Other
 Debt (non-taxes)
interest - £36 billion- £44 billion
The government tries to make taxation and spending as fair as possible for everyone. But it is a
tricky task… there’s only so much money to go round and you can’t please everyone. For example,
some people think we should spend more money on better equipment for the army, to save
soldiers’ lives. But other people think that this money should be spent on healthcare, instead of
fighting wars in other parts of the world.

You need a balance between taxing people and

businesses a fair amount that they can afford,
and providing high quality public services. The
government selects a Chancellor of the
Exchequer to make the difficult decisions about
tax rates and spending plans. The Chancellor
decides how the money from taxes will be
divided up between things like health,
education, defence and welfare.

If the government wants to increase spending in

one area, say education, then more money
needs to be raised – either by raising taxes or by
cutting public spending in another area, such as
health. Or, money could be borrowed, although
interest has to be paid on this, which usually
leads to increasing taxes in the future.

The decisions on taxes and spending happen each year in the Budget. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is
responsible for deciding where the money comes from and how it is spent. The Chancellor works with
government departments to decide what is needed and what must come first. It can be difficult to get the
right balance, because often every department will want to spend more.

The government uses a variety of measures to Check your understanding:

decide its spending priorities. The initial
decisions will be based upon the political 1. Explain how the government raise and
philosophy of the party in government and spend its income. (6 marks)
whether it is in favour of higher or lower 2. Describe the role of the Chancellor of the
government spending. Exchequer. (2 marks)
3. Why might government spending influence
It would have made certain commitments in its the way people vote? (2 marks)
manifesto at the General Election, so will feel it
has to deliver on its political promises. Some
decisions will relate to economic factors, such as Essay question:
encouraging economic growth, lowering
unemployment and bringing more people back ‘If the NHS wants more money, it should get it.’ (15 marks)
into the workforce.