Politics of the United Kingdom
This article is part of a series on Politics of the United Kingdom.
Constitutional Principles
- Magna Carta
- Bill of Rights
- Treaty of Union ( Acts of Union)
- Parliamentary sovereignty
- Rule of law
- Separation of powers
- Other constitutional principles
The Monarchy
The Monarch is King Charles III. The Heir apparent is William, Prince of Wales. The Royal family includes various members, and succession is governed by specific rules. The Prerogative and Counsellors of State play roles in the monarchy, while Republicanism in the United Kingdom is a separate political movement.
HM Government
HM Government is led by the Cabinet. The current ministry is the Starmer ministry (L). The Prime Minister is Keir Starmer (L), and the Deputy Prime Minister is David Lammy (L). The government consists of various Departments, Ministers, and Agencies.
UK Parliament
The UK Parliament (King-in-Parliament) includes King Charles III, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons. The Lord Speaker is The Lord McFall of Alcluith, and the Speaker of the House of Commons is Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The Leader of the Opposition is Kemi Badenoch (C). The current Parliament is the 59th Parliament. It comprises MPs, and lists of MPs are available.
Judiciary
The Judiciary is headed by Charles III (King-on-the-Bench). The Supreme Court includes The Lord Reed as President and The Lord Hodge as Deputy President, along with other Justices of the Supreme Court.
Devolved Administrations
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's governance is structured by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (2006 Act). The First Minister is Michelle O'Neill, and the Deputy First Minister is Emma Little-Pengelly. It has an Executive and an Assembly, which passes Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly and governs by the Law of Northern Ireland.
Scotland
Scottish devolution was initiated by the 1997 referendum and is governed by the Scotland Act 1998 (2012 Act, 2016 Act). The First Minister is John Swinney, leading the Government. The Scottish Parliament passes Acts of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish statutory instruments, adhering to Scots law.
Wales
Welsh devolution began with the 1997 referendum (and the 2011 referendum on law-making powers). Governance is defined by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (2006 Act, Wales Act 2014, Wales Act 2017). The First Minister is Eluned Morgan, who leads the Government. The Senedd passes Measures of the National Assembly for Wales (1999–2011) and Acts of Senedd Cymru, operating under Welsh law.
Intergovernmental Relations in the United Kingdom
Intergovernmental relations in the United Kingdom involve Legislative consent motions, the Prime Minister and Heads of Devolved Governments Council, and the Council of the Nations and Regions.
Elections and Parliaments (Historical Overview)
The political history includes numerous general elections:
- 1801 co-option
- 1802
- 1806
- 1807
- 1812
- 1818
- 1820
- 1826
- 1830
- 1831
- 1832–33
- 1835
- 1837
- 1841
- 1847
- 1852
- 1857
- 1859
- 1865
- 1868
- 1874
- 1880
- 1885
- 1886
- 1892
- 1895
- 1900
- 1906
- 1910 (Jan–Feb)
- 1910 (Dec)
- 1918
- 1922
- 1923
- 1924
- 1929
- 1931
- 1935
- 1945
- 1950
- 1951
- 1955
- 1959
- 1964
- 1966
- 1970
- 1974 (Feb)
- 1974 (Oct)
- 1979
- 1983
- 1987
- 1992
- 1997
- 2001
- 2005
- 2010
- 2015
- 2017
- 2019
- 2024
European Parliament Elections
European Parliament elections also took place:
- 1979
- 1984
- 1989
- 1994
- 1999
- 2004
- 2009
- 2014
- 2019
Devolved Parliament/Assembly Elections
Elections for devolved bodies include:
- 1998 (Northern Ireland Assembly)
- 2003 (Northern Ireland Assembly)
- 2007 (Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Senedd)
- 2011 (Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Senedd)
- 2016 (Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Senedd)
- 2017 (Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Senedd)
- 2022 (Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Senedd)
Further details on UK Parliament constituencies (2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies), Political parties, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 are relevant. Scottish Parliament constituencies and electoral regions, and Senedd constituencies and electoral regions also define the electoral landscape.
Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories
Crown Dependencies
The Crown dependencies include the Bailiwick of Guernsey (Guernsey, Alderney, Sark) and the Isle of Man. These are part of the British Islands and the Common Travel Area, and are subject to the UK-CD Customs Union.
British Overseas Territories
The British Overseas Territories are diverse and include Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands. These territories are connected through the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 and the UK-OT JMC. Issues like the Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute, Gibraltar sovereignty dispute, and Falkland Island sovereignty are also pertinent.
Subdivisions of the United Kingdom
England
England has a rich history and is subdivided into Regions, Ceremonial counties (list), Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties, Metropolitan county, Non-metropolitan county, Greater London, Unitary authorities (list), Districts (list), Metropolitan Borough, Non-metropolitan District, London Borough, Civil parishes (list), and Historic counties. The Governance of England includes aspects like English votes for English laws, the Greater London Authority (established by the 1998 referendum and Greater London Authority Act 1999 (2007 Act)), the Mayor of London (currently Sadiq Khan), Mayoral cabinet, London Assembly, London Plan, Combined authorities, and Metro mayors.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's history is distinct, and its subdivisions include Counties and Districts.
Scotland
Scotland's history is characterized by Scottish devolution. Subdivisions include Sheriffdoms, Council areas, Community council areas, Civil parishes, and Shires of Scotland.
Wales
Wales also has a unique history, with subdivisions such as Preserved counties, Principal areas, Communities (list), and Historic counties.
Financial and Economic Aspects
The Governor is Andrew Bailey, supported by Deputy governors and the Monetary Policy Committee. Currencies include Banknotes and Coins. Censorship is also a relevant aspect within the UK's political and social landscape.