Politics

First-past-the-post.

The voting system in the United Kingdom is called the: ‘first-past-the-post system’. It means that the person who gets the most votes in a particular area becomes the MP (Member of Parliament). Every MP (650 in total) represents an area, also known as a constituency. The two dominant parties in the UK are the Labour Party and the Conservative Party. The one with the most MP’s in parliament forms the government and the head of the government: The Prime Minister, who traditionally lives in 10 Downing Street with his family. Click on the video button below to learn more about the voting system.

10 Downing Street - The house of the Prime Minister
The House of Commons chamber

The Houses of Parliament

The British parliament is made up of two so-called ‘houses’: The House of Commons’ and ‘The House of Lords’. The House of Commons consists of the MP’s from all the constituencies and is seen as the most important house because they make the laws. The House of Lords then decides if a law can be passed to make it official.

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