AP Comp Gov- UK

Vexillology

Study of flags

UK's Regime

Constitutional/Parliamentary Monarchy (Democracy) – King/Queen doesn’t make decisions, decisions made by Parliament, has Democratic Consolidation (Advanced Democracy)

Head of State

King Charles III

Head of Government

Prime Minister – Keir Starmer

Head of Opposition

Kemi Badenoch

Political Culture

Multi-Nationalism

UK divided into England, Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland

Political Stability

Ability of a government and its institutions to function without major interruptions, violence, or sudden changes in leadership

Unitary State

Power in central government (London) with devolved powers to Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland – London can take powers back.

Devolution

Power to decide on education, health, and social services.

Magna Carta

Charter of Political Rights given to barons by King John in 1215.

Bill of Rights (UK) 1689

Limits monarch power; free elections; freedom of speech in Parliament; no taxation without Parliament’s agreement.

Parliamentary Act (1911)

Gave parliament power to pass acts without Lords’ approval

Parliamentary Act (1949)

Reduced the time Lords could delay bills

Uncodified Constitution

A country's system of government where the fundamental rules are not contained in a single, written document.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

What Parliament says is final.

Statutes

Written laws enacted by legislatures.

Common Law

Legal system based on custom and court rulings

Conventions

Accepted practices (like PM from majority party).

European Influence

European Convention on Human Rights, until Brexit, EU treaties shaped law.

Parliament

Lawmaking body of the British Gov -the UK's legislature.

House of Commons

The first legislative body of Parliament whose members are elected. The lower house of parliament. Has more power then the house of Lords.

House of Lords

Members are appointed rather than chosen by voters. Members are usually bishops, hereditary peers, and life peers. The upper house of parliament. Has less power then the house of comons.

Elections

As a UK citizen, you cast one vote in a general election

You vote for one candidate to represent your local area (constituency)

There are 650 constituencies across the UK (based on population)

Constituency Result

Each elects one Member of Parliament. The candidate with the most votes wins – first-past-the-post system. That MP represents your area in the House of Commons

Plurality

Most votes but not a majority.

Majority

More than half.

Party Totals

After all constituencies vote, the party totals are added up. Party with most Members of Parliament usually governs

Who Governs?

If a party wins a majority of Members of Parliament (326 seats) → they form the government.
The leader of that party becomes Prime Minister
If no party wins a majority → parties may form a coalition or minority government

Party Selections

Candidates don’t have to be from district; leaders get safe seats

First-past-the-post

Candidate with most votes wins single-member district.

Hung Parliament

No party majority (326 seats); may form coalition or minority government.

Snap Elections

Early election called by Prime Minister (with Parliament approval)

Referendums

Citizen vote on single issue; rare in UK

Political Institutions

Structure of government: executive, legislature, judiciary

Bicameral

Two-house legislature

Hereditary Peers

House of Lords members with inherited titles

Life Peers

Appointed for life for distinguished service

Bishops

Heads of Church in major cities

The Government

Cabinet + Prime Minister + Civil Service under the Crown

The Crown

Symbolism, tradition, loyalty; politically neutral

Westminster

Neighborhood of government

Whitehall

Main British government offices

Downing Street 10

Prime Minister’s residence

Fusion of Powers

Executive and Legislative branches intertwined

Prime Minister

Leads Cabinet, directs policy, calls snap elections

Cabinet

Senior ministers leading departments; support PM publicly

Bureaucracy

Civil service – career officials implementing policy

Vote of No Confidence

Parliament votes on whether PM should stay in power

Opposition MPs

↓ calls for a no-confidence vote
↓House of Commons (all MPs) votes
↓ majority decides
→If government WINS
PM stays in power
→If government LOSES
Government must resign OR
New general election is called

Constitutional Monarch

Reigns but doesn’t rule; ceremonial role

Independent Judiciary

Separate from Parliament; UK Supreme Court (since 2009)

Code Law

Detailed legal codes; judges apply as written

Three Legal Jurisdictions

England & Wales, Scotland, N. Ireland

UK Supreme Court

Final court of appeal; decides devolution issues

Judges

Appointed by Judicial Appointments Commission. Appointments approved by the monarch on advice of the Prime Minister & Lord Chancellor.

Civil Liberties

Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

Lists basic rights: life, free speech, fair trial, no torture, etc.

Empire

Former colonies; immigration legacy

Immigration

Post-WWII waves shaped modern identity

Globalization

EU membership & Brexit – sovereignty vs integration

Cleavages

Political divisions among citizens

Consensus & Stability

Citizens accept democratic rules, gradual change

Pragmatism

Preference for practical, non-ideological solutions

Civic Culture

Voting, debate, trust in legitimate opposition

Respect for Tradition & Rule of Law

Pride in Parliament, monarchy, common law

Social Movements

Groups advocating for broad social change

Grassroots Movements

Hard to suppress, hard to organize

Interest Groups

Advocate for specific interests

Pluralism

Many interest groups competing for influence

Corporatism

Government co-opts groups for policy support

Quangos

Government-funded but independent organizations

Privatization

Selling public services to private companies

Welfare

Government programs for basic needs (e.g., NHS)

Austerity

Spending cuts to reduce debt

Insularity

Sense of separation from Europe

Brexit

British exit from the European Union

Conservative Party

Right-wing party favoring free markets and property ownership

Labour Party

Center-left party advocating reform and a peaceful transition to socialism, in time providing a viable alternative to the revolutionary emphasis of Marxism.

Liberal Democrats

Centrist-to-centre-left party supporting liberty, intervention for social and economic equality, environmental protection, and workers' rights.

Green Party

Focuses on environment and social justice.

Reform UK

Right-wing populist party

Scottish National Party

Campaigns for Scottish independence, most popular party in Scotland.

Plaid Cymru

Nationalist party in Wales, advocates more rights for the Welsh people, including use of the Welsh language.

Sinn Féin

Irish independence party, want to reunite Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Coalition government

two or more parties join together

Minority government

One party rules with fewer than 326 seats, but needs support from others to pass laws.