British Political System

​British Political System

the Political System of the UK (voc) - Match up

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​​The UK is a constitutional monarchy,  it means that the queen (or king) is the head of state. It's not a political role and queen Elizabeth II has no power to pass laws. However, she opens Parliament every year. The monarch has more of a symbolic role. Her main duties are paying visits around the world, hosting foreign heads of state and taking part in official ceremonies and events.

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​​The United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy. It means that British people vote in elections for Members of Parliament (MPs), which represent them in the government.

Parliament itself consists of two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Both make laws, scrutinize government and debate important issues. The two-chamber system is designed to act as a check and balance for both houses.

​ People vote in elections for Members of Parliament who represent them in the government. The political party, which wins an overall majority in the House of Commons with 326 seats or more at a general election, forms the new government and its leader becomes Prime Minister. If there's no clear winner one of the two biggest parties, the Conservatives or Labour, could make a formal deal with a smaller party or parties such as the Liberal Democrats or the Euroskeptic party. ​

There are lots of political parties in the UK but the big three are the Labour Party (the main left-wing party), the Liberal Democrats (the main centre party) and the Conservatives (the main right-wing party).​

​​The current monarch is Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended the throne in 1952. The Platinum Jubilee (70 years) of Elizabeth II will be celebrated in 2022.

​The current Prime Minister is Boris Johnson. He represents the Conservative party.

The political system of the UK (comprehension) - Find the match

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Multiple Choice

The queen is the head of state. It's a political role and the monarch can pass laws.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

The UK is a parliamentary democracy.

• true

• false

Multiple Select

Parliament includes

• the monarch

• the House of Commons

• the House of Lords

Multiple Choice

Members of Parliament are appointed by the queen.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Paying visits around the world, hosting foreign heads of state and taking part in official ceremonies are the duties of …

• Prime Minister

• Parliament

• the monarch

• religious leaders

Multiple Choice

Making laws and debating important issues are the duties of…

• Prime Minister

• Parliament

• the monarch

• religious leaders

Multiple Select

Which are the two main parties of the UK?

• Labour

• Green party

• Liberal Democrats

• Conservatives

• Brexit party

Fill in the Blank

The current monarch of the UK is ...

Fill in the Blank

The current PM of the UK is ...