the individuals who have been elected and given the authority to run the state, led by the Prime Minister (PM) in the UK

the power or right to have official responsibility, to give orders and make decisions

comprises three parts: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch. Its purpose is to debate, make laws and scrutinise the government

What is the difference between the Government and Parliament?

Citizenship

How do elections work?

What happens after a general election?

What do political parties do?

What do MPs do?

How is the UK Government organised?

How does devolved government work?

In this unit, pupils learn about the roles of government and parliament and how they are organised. They explore how elections work and what the role of political parties and MPs are.

How does the political system work in the UK?

when people vote to choose their leaders or representatives

the specific geographical area that is represented by each MP in the House of Commons

the leader of the political party who is in power and head of the Government

holds more than half of the total seats in a legislative body, such as a Parliament

a government formed jointly by more than one political party

a government formed by a political party that does not have an overall majority of MPs

an organised group of people who share similar beliefs and goals about how society should be run

courses of action or goals that people plan to carry out, or are in the process of carrying out

a concept that models political beliefs and ideologies as a continuum (from left wing to right wing)

a person elected to represent citizens’ interests and concerns in the House of Commons

the ability gained through training and experience to do a job or action well

the group of people with the authority to govern a country; in the UK, the Government is chosen and led by the Prime Minister (PM)

a group of senior MPs who lead major government departments; the Cabinet meets weekly to make decisions about how government policy will be carried out

the transfer of political powers from a central government or parliament to a national, regional or local government or parliament

relating to a particular area, or part of an area, of a state or country

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Who we are

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How does the political system work in the UK?

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