What is the British constitution, and what does the monarch do?

What is the British constitution, and what does the monarch do?

A constitution is the set of principles a country is governed by. The British constitution is not written in one document, so it is called unwritten. The monarch is the head of state, but does not rule: the government that the voters chose does that.

If you understand why the system looks the way it does, the facts are easier to remember.

Why is the constitution unwritten?

There is one main reason. The UK, unlike America or France, has never had a revolution that permanently replaced the whole system with a new one. Its main institutions grew slowly over hundreds of years.

A constitution also covers laws and conventions, and it keeps the power of each institution in check. Some people want a single written document. Others like the flexibility of the unwritten way. Both views are fair.

The parts of government are the monarchy, Parliament, the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the courts, the police, the civil service and local government. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also have devolved governments that can make laws on some issues.

What does the monarch do?

The UK has a constitutional monarchy. The monarch does not run the country. The monarch invites the leader of the party with the most MPs, or the leader of a coalition, to become Prime Minister.

The monarch meets the Prime Minister regularly and can advise, warn and encourage. The decisions on policy are made by the Prime Minister and the cabinet.

The monarch also has ceremonial jobs. The monarch opens each new session of Parliament and gives a speech that sums up the government's plans for the year. All Acts of Parliament are made in the monarch's name. The monarch also welcomes foreign ambassadors, hosts visiting heads of state and makes state visits abroad.

The monarch gives the country stability and continuity. Governments and Prime Ministers change often, while the head of state stays. The monarch is a focus for national identity and pride, and is also the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, a voluntary group of countries. The Commonwealth has no power over its members, though it can suspend a member.

New citizens promise loyalty to the monarch and the monarch's heirs and successors in the citizenship ceremony. There are two forms, one to swear and one to affirm.

Learn what the handbook says, because the test follows the handbook. It describes Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned from 1952, and names Prince Charles as Prince of Wales and heir. Today this has changed: King Charles III succeeded on 8 September 2022, and Prince William is now Prince of Wales.

How do the Commons and the Lords differ?

All MPs together form the House of Commons. It is seen as the more important chamber because its members are elected. The Prime Minister and almost all of the cabinet sit there. MPs represent everyone in their constituency, help to make laws, examine what the government does and debate national issues.

Members of the House of Lords are called peers. They are not elected and do not represent an area. Until 1958 all peers either inherited their title or were senior judges or bishops. Since 1958 the Prime Minister can name life peers, whose title ends with them and is not passed on. The monarch appoints them on the Prime Minister's advice.

The Lords checks laws that the Commons has passed. It can suggest changes, and many peers are specialists. The Commons has the power to overrule the Lords, but does not use it often.

A short memory hook is that the Commons is elected and decides, and the Lords is appointed and checks.

Since 1999 hereditary peers have lost the automatic right to sit, and they elect a few of their number to represent them.

Who keeps order in the Commons?

The Speaker chairs debates. The Speaker is an MP chosen by other MPs in a secret ballot, but stays neutral and does not represent a party. The Speaker makes sure the opposition has time to debate subjects it chooses.

What does the cabinet do?

The Prime Minister leads the party in power and picks about 20 senior MPs to run departments. They form the cabinet, which usually meets weekly. Learn the three big jobs together: the Chancellor of the Exchequer looks after the economy, the Home Secretary deals with crime, policing and immigration, and the Foreign Secretary handles relations with other countries.

Test yourself with the free practice test. The full chapter on government, law and your role has the detail. For more, read elections and voting and the Prime Ministers.

Check yourself

Can you explain in two sentences why the UK constitution is unwritten?

Can you list four things the monarch does and two things the monarch does not do?

Can you say who appoints life peers and who gives them advice?