Political system

- The Queen – head of the state

- The Conservative Party – right wing party
- The Prime Minister – head of the government – Rishi Sunak
- Members of Parliament – elected to represent their areas
- The Houses of Parliament – both houses (MPs and Lords)
- The Labour Party – left wing party
- Hung Parliament – a parliament in which no political party has enough seats to secure an overall majority.
- Westminster – area where the Houses of Parliament are
- Downing Street – name of the street where the Prime Minister lives, 10

Political party

- Group of people who have similar opinions on law

What do political parties in the UK represent?

Political parties in the UK claim to represent the views of certain sections of society. Clearly everyone has a
different opinion of how they want the country to be run. These views are often referred to as an Ideology.

The measurement of a person or parties ideology is usually done on the ‘Political Spectrum’.

Left Wing Types of ideology Right Wing

Communism Socialism Liberalism Conservatism Fascism

KARL MARX TONY BENN BILL CLINTON M. THATCHER B. MUSSOLINI

Beliefs
Left Wing
Emphasis on people as social beings working together for common good.
The state is chosen by the people and should reflect their views. The state should serve to give the poorer in
society similar opportunities to the richer in society.
Reduce taxes for 95% of the population, but increase them for the top 5%. Renationalise parts of the economy,
notably the railways. Abolish tuition fees for university students
The state should provide welfare and full social services
Keep the immigration that is vital for parts of the British economy
Brexit - Call for new referendum

Right Wing
Emphasis on the individual and the need to preserve order in society.
People need strong Government.
Boost the economy by reducing taxes for all,
including the wealthy. Reduce bureaucracy. Belief in a small state and minimal welfare provided
by the state, with more emphasis on the
private sector. Reduce immigration.
In favour on Brexit
Prime Ministers
Conservative party: Winston Churchil, Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May, Boris Johnson
Labour party: James Callaghan, Tony Blair, Gordan Brown
Liberal party: David Lloyd George

What country is Britain like from its political point of view?

- constitutional monarchy
What does it mean?
-a country governed by a king or a queen who accepts the advice of a parliament
- a country whose government is controlled by a parliament which has been elected by the people –
basic system is not different from anywhere else in Europe
How can someone appeal to the highest law?
-principles and procedures are derived from a number of different sources – they have been built up
over the centuries
- some of them are written down in laws agreed by Parliament, some have been spoken and then
written down and some have never been written down at all. (e.g. no law in Britain that says anything
about who can be the Prime Minister)