Info
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
g . Inherited monarchy
Comments: The monarch of the United Kingdom acts as the Head of State. The U.K. has an uncodified constitution where fundamental rules take the form of customs, precedent, and a variety of statutes and legal instruments. As a constitutional monarch, His/Her Majesty does not 'rule' the country but fulfils important ceremonial and formal roles with respect to Government. They are also the Fount of Justice, Head of the Armed Forces and have important relationships with the established Churches of England and Scotland.
Source:
Verified: 2025/06/12
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: After a general election, the appointment of a Prime Minister is the prerogative of the Sovereign. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister.
The leader of the party with an overall majority of seats in the House of Commons is usually appointed to the role of Prime Minister, but there could still be exceptional circumstances when the reigning monarch might need to exercise discretion. In appointing a Prime Minister, the Sovereign is guided by constitutional conventions. The main requirement is to find someone who can command the confidence of the House of Commons.
Although she is a constitutional monarch who remains politically neutral, The Queen retains the ability to give a regular audience to a Prime Minister during his or her term of office.
Source: Official Website of the UK Parliament: https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/principal/government-opposition/
Verified: 2025/06/12
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/prime-minister
Verified: 2025/06/12
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The Parliament consists of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
The Commons is publicly elected. The party with the largest number of members in the Commons forms the government.
The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. It is independent from, and complements the work of, the elected House of Commons. The Lords shares the task of making and shaping laws and checking and challenging the work of the government.
Source: Official Website of the UK Parliament: http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/role/system/ (2015)
Verified: 2025/06/12
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP)
Comments: The UK is divided into single-member constituencies.
Voters cast one vote for their preferred candidate.
The candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins the seat.
There is no requirement for a majority—just more votes than any other candidate.
Source: Official Website of the UK Parliament: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections-and-voting/voting-systems/
Verified: 2025/06/12
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