The main political institutions in Britain

Government Civil
Made up of the political party (or parties, in the case of a coalition) with a Service
majority in the House of Commons. The Leader of the largest party
Including non-
becomes Prime Minister, and most Ministers are MPs in the House of
departmental
Commons.
public bodies,
regulators and
House of Commons House of Lords local government
650 Members of Parliament Approximately 830 Peers servants
Each represents around 75,000 Life Peers are appointed by the Supporting the
voters in a single-member House of Lords Appointments political
constituency and is elected with a Commission. There are also 26 institutions,
plurality of votes called “first-past- Lords Spiritual (Church of England creating and
the-post”. Bishops) and 92 Hereditary Peers. implementing
legislation
without being
Scottish Welsh London affiliated to a
Parliament Assembly Assembly political party or
promoting the
129 Members of the 60 Members of the 25 Members of the
views of a
Scottish Parliament Welsh Assembly London Assembly
particular
(MSPs) (AMs) (AMs)
political party.
73 are elected from 40 are elected from 14 are elected from
single-member single-member single-member
constituencies, while constituencies, while constituencies, while European
56 are elected on a 20 are elected on a 11 are elected on a
Parliament
regional list system. regional list system. list system.
Members of the
European
Local Government Parliament
407 councils in England, Scotland and Wales (MEPs)
District, Borough, Metropolitan, Unitary and County Councils deliver Elected on a list
services, run elections and collect council tax. Councils elect different system, with
numbers of councillors, some have directly-elected mayors, and some different regions
have parish councils. electing between
4 and 10 MEPs
depending on
PCCs 41 Police Crime Commissioners in most of England and Wales size.

Other institutions with influence on politics in Britain

Political parties The United Nations European political institutions

The courts The media Trade unions Corporate or professional bodies,

non-governmental organisations,
The stock exchange Faith bodies think-tanks, academics...
The main political institutions of the European Union
Citizens Citizens from the Member Nations vote for MEPs.

European The European European

Parliament
Parliament approves Commission
Commissioners
751 MEPs directly elected by 28 Commissions, one per Member
European citizens Nation
Represents citizens in these Day-to-day running of the EU,
member countries. Scrutinises initiating legislation, ensuring
Bills, approves the EU budget. passed legislation is implemented.

Laws need agreement

between the European The The European Council
Parliament and the Council of European appoints Commissioners
the European Union Commission
initiates draft
legislation for
Council of the the European
European Council
European Union Parliament and (the EU Summit)
the Council of Head of State or Government of all
(Council of Ministers) the European
28 Member Nations
National ministers from the 28 Union to
Member Nations for specific consider Provides executive power. Appoints
issues the EU President, Commission
President, Commissioners and
Represents governments of
President.
Member Nations.

Governments The 28 Member Nations send national politicians to the Council

of the European Union. Heads of State or Government attend European Council.

Court of Justice of the European European Court

European Union Central Bank of Auditors
Contains the European Court of Administers the monetary Audits finances of the
Justice, the highest court in the EU policy of the Eurozone European Union

Not to be confused with...

The Council of Europe ...of which the best known is...

The institutions of the Council of Europe include the The European Court
Secretary General, the Committee of Ministers, the of Human Rights
Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress of the Council of Created by the European
Europe, the European Court of Human Rights (see Convention on Human Rights of
right), the Commissioner for Human Rights, and the 1950
Conference of International NGOs.