The UK’s political system

The United Kingdom (UK) is a democratic country with a parliamentary system. This means that people choose who makes decisions by voting in elections.

The UK’s political system is called representative democracy. Citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf, in Parliament.

Monarchy and parliament

The UK is also a constitutional monarchy. It has monarch, currently King Charles III who is the head of state, but this role is symbolic. The monarch does not make important decisions.

It is the Parliament that has real political power. Parliament makes the laws and runs the country.

Parliament and government

Parliament is made of two parts or houses:

• The House of Commons where Members of Parliament (MPs) work. MPs are elected by the public in general elections, which are usually held every five years.
• The House of Lords where members are chosen, not elected. They check new laws.

The leader of the political party with the most MPs forms the government and becomes the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is in charge of the government, leads the country, and is responsible for domestic and foreign policy.

Political parties

The main political parties in the UK are: Conservative Party, Labour Party and Liberal Democrats.

There are also regional parties in the UK’s nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, like the Scottish National Party (SNP). Some of the smaller parties in the country include the Green Party and Reform UK.

Each political party has different views on issues like jobs, healthcare, housing, immigration and the environment.

Local and devolved government

The UK also has local governments, known as local councils or local authorities, and devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each with different powers and responsibilities for policy areas like education, health and transport.

Political participation of migrants 

Navigating the UK’s political system may seem overwhelming, but understanding how it works helps migrants engage with their communities, protect their rights, and influence the policies that affect their daily lives.

Additional information

For more information about the UK’s political system, you may find the following materials useful:  

• Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents  
• How government works website
• BBC's Easy peasy politics: How it all works website

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