This lesson is an introduction to the executive branch of the UK's government
Executive branch
Concerned with the formulation and implementation of policy
Legislative branch
Concerned with the passing of law
Judicial branch
Concerned with the interpretation and application of law
Ministers who form the core of the executive are drawn from Parliament and are accountable to Parliament
Prime Minister
Head of government, provides political leadership within the cabinet system and the UK as a whole
The current Prime Minister at the time of recording is Rishi Sunak
Prime Minister
Must be a member of the Westminster Parliament
Must be the leader of a political party and have the support of their party
The political party they lead must normally have a majority in the House of Commons
In recent years, Prime Ministers have been elected by the internal membership of the Conservative party rather than by general election
Majority government
One political party has an absolute majority of seats in the House of Commons and forms the government
Minority government
No political party has an absolute majority of seats in the House of Commons, so the government relies on support from other parties to pass legislation
Coalition government
Two or more parties agree to form the government together when no single party has a majority
