1. The UK Constitutional Arrangement
Starter Task
Who is the head of state of the United Kingdom?
According to British law, one group of people are never allowed to reign as King or Queen. Which group?

2. The UK Constitutional Arrangement
Answers
The Queen – Elizabeth II
Roman Catholics
(This is the law because of the 1701 Act of Settlement which still applies today)

3. Today we will… Outline the UK constitutional arrangement
Identify the different types of government in the UK with a particular focus on Scotland

4. Success Criteria
I can summarise the UK constitutional arrangements.

5. Structure of Government in the UK
The system of government in the UK is called a “constitutional monarchy”
This is a form of democratic government where the monarch (King or Queen) acts as a non-political head of state
In basic terms, the monarch of the UK (Queen Elizabeth II) “reigns but does not rule”

6. Structure of Government in the UK
The monarch has some responsibilities such as granting “royal assent” for bills, but such “powers” are just for show…to keep up tradition…a formality
Power to make and change laws lies with the UK Parliament which meets at Westminster and the devolved governments and assemblies of the separate nations of the UK

7. Structure of Government in the UK
A constitution is defined as a set of rules within which a country is governed
The UK has no formal written constitution
However, it is said to have an “unwritten constitution” with various principles and ideals which are upheld
Essentially, changes to the UK’s “constitution” can be achieved through new Acts of Parliament

8. Politics in Scotland
Until the late 1990s, laws for the whole of the UK were made solely by the UK central government in Westminster
In 1997, the people of Scotland voted in a referendum on whether or not to have a separate Scottish Parliament which would make laws on devolved Scottish issues – the people of Scotland voted yes
Around the same time, assemblies were created for Wales and Northern Ireland giving these nations some powers to govern themselves

9. Politics in Scotland
So today, Scotland remains part of the UK but has a degree of self-government
Scotland has the power to make laws on devolved matters such as health and education
However, the UK still has control over reserved issues such as defence and immigration
Laws made in both Parliaments must receive royal assent (as mentioned this is merely a formality)

10. Overview Queen is head of state Central Government – whole of UK
Scottish Parliament – just for Scotland
Passes laws on reserved issues – e.g. defence and immigration
Passes laws on devolved issues – e.g. health and education
Note – Britain (and therefore Scotland) is also part of the European Union (EU) and so the European Parliament can pass laws on Europe-wide issues. For example, the European Parliament recently passed legislation on mobile phone roaming charges.

11. Party Politics
Britain is a representative democracy rather than a direct democracy
Citizens vote for representatives in their respective areas who will make decisions on their behalf
The Westminster and Scottish Parliaments operate within a system of party politics
Representatives are usually from the major political parties – Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and SNP. Smaller parties such as the Green Party also have representatives

12. Party Politics
Political parties are organisations whose members share common beliefs about how the country should be run
For example, the Labour Party traditionally represents people from working-class (poorer) backgrounds. Historically, it has favoured high taxes, particularly on the wealthy, and high government spending in areas such as education and the health service. It has in recent years changed its outlook as a result of the rapid growth of the middle class in the UK.
The Conservative Party traditionally represents people from more affluent (richer) backgrounds. It tends to argue for lower taxes on citizens and lower public spending, arguing that individuals should take more responsibility for looking after themselves.

13. Elections Elections for the UK Parliament take place every 4-5 years
Elections for the Scottish Parliament take place every 4 years
Citizens aged 18 and over vote for candidates in their area.
These candidates will usually be members of the major political parties although some may be independent candidates who are not attached to any party
Victorious candidates become representatives (MPs or MSPs)
The political party which achieves the most representatives will generally form the Government (UK government for whole of UK and Scottish Government for Scotland) and the leader of that party will become the Prime Minister (UK) or First Minister (Scotland)

14. To sum up…
The Queen is the head of state for the UK but has no real power to rule
The UK Government based in Westminster governs the whole of the UK although in 1999 certain devolved powers were given to the new Scottish Parliament, enabling it to govern Scotland
However, the UK Government maintains some reserved powers
The European Parliament also makes some laws on Europe-wide issues
The UK is a representative democracy
Most representatives are members of political parties
The party which gains the most representatives forms the Government
The leader of the party with the most representatives becomes the Prime Minister or First Minister

15. Was I successful?
I can summarise the UK constitutional arrangements.