The British system of government

    The United Kingdom is a monarchy. The Queen is the head of state, but she doesn’t have much power. The monarchy is hereditary; Prince Charles, the Queen’s son, will be the next King.

Parliament consists of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The members of the House of Lords are called peers. There are no elections for the House of Lords. Some peers are hereditary; others are life peers. Life peers are people who have served the nation in a special way. The Queen chooses life peers in consultation with the Prime Minister. The House of Lords is less important then the House of Commons.

There are 650 members of the House of Commons. They are elected for a maximum of five years. British citizens can vote when they are 18 years old. After an election, the political party with the largest number of members of the House of Commons forms the government. The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister. The most important minister in the government form the Cabinet. The Cabinet makes government policy, but it is responsible to the House of Commons.

Are these statements TRUE or FALSE?

1. The British elect the Queen.

2. Prince Charles will be the next King.

3. The British elect the members of the House of Lords.

4. The House of Commons has more power than the House of Lords.

5. The Queen chooses the members of the House of Commons.

6. All the members of the government are in the Cabinet.

KEY

1. False

2. True

3. False

4. True

5. False

6. False