Westminster Parliament

• The UK government operates under a separation of powers system, dividing power between different branches to ensure no single entity has too much control.
• Separation of Powers

  1. The Executive: The Prime Minister and Cabinet Propose New laws. Prime Minister and Cabinet create and push forward most new laws with the help of the Civil Service. Having a parliamentary majority allows them to pass laws through the House of Commons.
• • 2-The Legislature: The Houses of Commons and Lords Make and Change the Law:Parliament is bicameral, meaning it has two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Both houses debate, review, and vote on new laws. They also check government actions to prevent abuses of power.
  • 3-The Judiciary: Judges and Magistrates Apply the Law:Judges and magistrates interpret laws in courts and apply appropriate sentences to those who break the law.
• 4-The Monarchy: Integral to the Process and Gives Royal Assent to Each Law:While the monarch does not rule, they play a formal role by approving new laws through Royal Assent, opening each new session of Parliament, and appointing the Prime Minister after elections.
• Private Members’ Bills:

  Not all laws are proposed by the government. Private Members’ Bills are introduced by MPs or Lords who are not part of the government. They go through the same law-making process, but without government support, they rarely become law.
• Explain two roles of the judiciary in the UK:

  • to interpret the laws created by parliament and if no Jury is present,decide the verdict.
  • to decide on sentencing. this is based upon recommended sentences usually provided by Parliament as part of the law that they have passed.