The British Constitution
The British constitution is unwritten (uncodified), meaning it is not contained in a single legal document. Instead, it is formed from historic statutes (such as Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights 1689), common law precedents, conventions, and international treaties.
The System of Government
The UK is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy:
- The Sovereign (The King): The ceremonial Head of State. The monarch remains politically neutral, formally opens Parliament (State Opening), delivers the King's Speech, meets weekly with the Prime Minister, and grants Royal Assent to bills passed by Parliament so they become Acts of Parliament (law).
- Parliament: Possesses supreme legislative authority, consisting of the Sovereign, the House of Commons, and the House of Lords.
The Two Houses of Parliament
1. The House of Commons:
- The primary elected legislative chamber.
- Composed of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs), each representing an electoral constituency across the UK.
- Elected using the first-past-the-post system in a Parliament with a maximum normal lifetime of five years from its first meeting, unless dissolved earlier. The general election follows dissolution.
- Chaired by the Speaker, an MP chosen by fellow members who renounces party politics to remain strictly neutral.
2. The House of Lords:
- The unelected upper revising chamber.
- Consists of Life Peers (appointed for public distinction by the monarch on advice of the PM), and Church of England bishops (Lords Spiritual). Hereditary titles no longer grant seats following the 2026 reform.
- Scrutinises, reviews, and suggests amendments to legislation passed by the Commons.