The Westminster Parliament (Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies): Revision Note

Executive, legislature, judiciary and monarchy

The role of the monarchy

• The monarchy is the King, who is the head of state and carries out ceremonial duties with limited political power

•  The UK is a constitutional monarchy

  • 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 neutral and carries out their role on the advice of the government, ensuring democracy is respected

The role of the legislature

• The legislature is Parliament, which debates, makes and changes laws and checks the work of the government

• Parliament is 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

• 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 and makes decisions

  • 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

• The judiciary is the system of courts and judges that interprets and applies the law and makes sure it is followed fairly

• 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

The House of Commons

• The House of Commons is made up of 650 elected Members of Parliament (MPs)

  • MPs are elected by voters in constituencies across the UK

  • MPs usually work full time representing the interests of their constituents

• The House of Commons is responsible for forming the government

  • The government is formed by the political party or parties that can command a majority in the House of Commons

  • The Prime Minister and most senior government ministers are normally members of the House of Commons

• The House of Commons has the main law-making power in Parliament

  • The House of Commons determines the final outcome of most legislation

  • The House of Commons can reject or overturn changes suggested by the House of Lords

• The House of Commons scrutinises the work of the government

  • MPs hold the government to account through debates, select committees and Prime Minister’s Questions

• The House of Commons controls confidence in the government

  • A vote of no confidence in the government can lead to the government resigning or a general election

Parliamentary debate

• Parliamentary debate is a formal discussion of issues, laws and policies in Parliament, where MPs and peers speak for or against proposals in the House of Commons and House of Lords

• This debate allows ideas to be examined in detail

  • Different viewpoints and evidence can be considered before decisions are made

• Debate helps to shape legislation

  • Bills can be challenged, improved and amended as a result of discussion

• Parliamentary debate holds the government to account

  • Ministers must explain and defend their policies in public

• Debate supports democracy

  • It ensures laws and policies are not rushed and reflect a range of opinions

The House of Lords

• The House of Lords is made up of over 800 members

  • Members include life peers, crossbench peers, bishops of the Church of England and hereditary peers

    • The government has proposed removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords

• Members of the House of Lords are not elected

  • Peers are appointed or inherit their position rather than being chosen by voters

  • Members are paid a daily allowance for attending the House of Lords

• The House of Lords plays a key role in revising legislation

  • It debates proposed laws and suggests amendments to improve them

  • Members often use their specialist knowledge and experience during debates

• The House of Lords scrutinises government decisions

  • It checks and examines legislation in detail before it becomes law

• The powers of the House of Lords are limited

  • The House of Lords cannot interfere with financial bills such as the Budget

  • The House of Lords cannot block the House of Commons in the long term