England is a monarchy. This means that the head of state is a monarch, who is currently King Charles III. The monarch is the symbol of the state and has a number of important constitutional roles.
Constitutional System
The United Kingdom has a constitutional monarchy, which means that the powers of the monarch are limited by the Constitution. The Constitution is made up of a number of laws and conventions that have evolved over time. It sets out the basic principles of the government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Parliament
The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the supreme legislative body. It is made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Sovereign. The House of Commons is directly elected by the people of the United Kingdom. The House of Lords is made up of members who are appointed by the monarch.
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is the head of government. He or she is the leader of the political party that has the majority of seats in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Sovereign.
Cabinet
The Cabinet is a group of senior ministers who are appointed by the Prime Minister. The Cabinet meets to discuss and decide government policy.
Civil Service
The Civil Service is the permanent, non-political administration that serves the government of the United Kingdom. The Civil Service is responsible for carrying out the policies of the government and providing advice and support to ministers.