Executive, Legislature, Monarchy & Parliament (AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies): Revision Note

The role of the Monarchy

•  The UK is a constitutional monarchy with the King as the Head of State

• King Charles III is the formal, symbolic leader of the country, while elected politicians run the government

• Laws are made by Parliament in the monarch’s name, and the monarch carries out key constitutional roles

  • Example include opening Parliament, appointing the Prime Minister and giving Royal Assent to laws

• The Monarch is considered to be neutral and carries out their role on the advice of the government, ensuring democracy is respected

Other roles of the monarch

• He agrees to the calling of a general election

• He delivers the King's Speech to Parliament

• He is also Head of State of 15 other Commonwealth countries

• He agrees to the appointment of members of the House of Lords 

• He awards honours to citizens on the advice of the government 

The role of Parliament

• Parliament is the name given to the national institution made up of the House of Commons and the House of Lords

  • It is where important national decisions are debated and made

• The UK has a bicameral Parliament, which means it has two chambers

  • The House of Commons is made up of elected MPs who represent constituencies

  • The House of Lords is made up of unelected members who examine laws in detail

A comparison of the House of Commons and House of Lords

• Parliament acts as the legislature, meaning it is the body that makes, debates and amends laws

  • For example, a new law about education or policing must be debated and approved by both Houses before it can become law

• Parliament also has an important role in scrutinising the government

  • MPs question ministers, debate government policies and can vote against government proposals

The role of the Executive

• The Executive is the part of government responsible for running the country on a day-to-day basis

  • It is made up of the Prime Minister, government ministers, senior civil servants, and political advisers

• The Executive is responsible for developing government policy

  • For example, ministers decide plans for areas such as education, health or defence, which are then turned into laws by Parliament

• The Executive is also responsible for putting laws and policies into action

  • Government departments, such as the Department of Health or the Home Office, are run by ministers and civil servants

• The Executive plays a key role in crisis management

  • For example, during emergencies such as public health crises or national security threats, the Executive makes quick decisions to protect the public

• Although powerful, the Executive is accountable to Parliament

  • Ministers must explain and justify their actions to MPs, helping to prevent misuse of power

The role of the Judiciary

• In the UK, the judiciary (judges and courts) is independent of the government

  • Judges are appointed based on experience and ability, not politics, and usually remain in post until retirement

  • This independence helps protect the rule of law and ensures fair decisions

• The creation of the UK Supreme Court in 2009 strengthened judicial independence

• The Supreme Court is separate from Parliament and government

  • It can make important judgements about whether the government has acted lawfully

• The Supreme Court can decide whether new laws are compatible with the Human Rights Act 1998

  • If a law breaches human rights, the Court can issue a declaration of incompatibility

  • Parliament then decides whether to change the law

• The Supreme Court also oversees devolution arrangements

  • It can rule on whether laws passed by the Scottish Parliament, Senedd or Northern Ireland Assembly go beyond their powers

• The Court played a major role during the Brexit process

  • In 2017, it ruled that Parliament must approve triggering Brexit

  • In 2019, it ruled that the government’s suspension of Parliament was unlawful