Civil servants assist the government in policy development and implementation but do not create policies themselves.

Defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation, and social security remain under central UK government control.

Elected members, known as MLAs, meet in the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont in Belfast.

MPs who do not represent any of the main political parties are called "Independents" and typically represent specific issues important to their constituency.

Citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic, or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public office.

The second-largest party in the House of Commons is known as the opposition.

To vote in a parliamentary, European or local election, you must have your name on the electoral register.

In many local authorities, the mayor is the ceremonial leader of the council.

Civil servants in the UK are appointed based on merit and are expected to remain politically neutral.

The leader of the opposition appoints senior opposition MPs to be ‘shadow ministers.' These MPs form the shadow cabinet and challenge the government and propose alternative policies.

The Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London coordinate policies across the capital.

Pressure and lobby groups are organisations that aim to influence government policy by advocating for specific issues or causes.

The elected members of Wales, known as AMs, meet in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

Hansard is the official report that publishes proceedings in Parliament, providing a record of debates and discussions.

Voters have the right to make their own decision and should not be influenced.

The cabinet is a committee of senior MPs who meet weekly to make important decisions about government policy.

The Scottish Parliament has 129 members (MSPs), elected by a form of proportional representation.

Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) take place every week while Parliament is in session, allowing MPs to question the Prime Minister on government policies and decisions.

The electoral register is updated every year in September or October.

The Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 elected members, known as MLAs.

The Welsh Assembly (now called the Senedd) and the Scottish Parliament were both established in 1999 as part of the devolution process in the UK.

Civil servants are expected to uphold the core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity, and impartiality, including political neutrality.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for managing the economy in the UK.

The Scottish Parliament was established in 1999.

The Welsh National Assembly has 60 Assembly members (AMs), and elections are held every four years using proportional representation.

The Foreign Secretary is responsible for overseeing the UK's relationships with foreign countries.

The shadow cabinet consists of senior opposition MPs appointed by the leader of the opposition to challenge the government and propose alternative policies.

In Northern Ireland, there's a system called the 'individual registration,' where each person entitled to vote must complete their own registration form.

The Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922 when Ireland was divided into Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.

The Scottish Parliament can legislate on many issues, but some matters remain under the control of the UK Parliament.

Most citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic, or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public office, with exceptions like members of the armed forces, civil servants, and people found guilty of certain criminal offences.

Voters must fill in their ballot paper privately in a polling booth.

Elected members, called MSPs, meet in the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh.

Local authorities are funded by a combination of central government funding and local taxes.

The UK government has the power to suspend all devolved assemblies when necessary.

The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928, when all adults gained the right to vote.

The Northern Ireland Parliament was abolished in 1972, shortly after the Troubles, a violent conflict in Northern Ireland, intensified.

The Scottish Parliament can legislate on matters such as civil and criminal law, health, education, planning, and additional tax-raising powers.

Shadow ministers form the shadow cabinet, with the role of challenging the government and presenting alternative policies. They provide scrutiny and offer a different perspective.

The leader of the opposition is responsible for appointing senior opposition MPs as shadow ministers. These shadow ministers form the shadow cabinet.

The Prime Minister appoints about 20 senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments.

The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing, and immigration in the UK.

Lobby and pressure groups aim to shape government policies and play a key role in political decision-making.

The poll card tells voters where their polling station is and when the election will take place.

The Prime Minister appoints the members of the cabinet and has control over many important public appointments.

In the UK, people vote at polling stations or polling places (in Scotland).

The Home Secretary oversees policing, crime, and immigration. The Foreign Secretary handles international relations.

Adult citizens of the UK, and citizens of the Commonwealth and Ireland who are resident in the UK, can vote in all public elections

In the UK, devolved administrations have control over certain public services, including education. Matters like defence, foreign affairs, immigration, and taxation are generally controlled by the UK government.

The Prime Minister can be replaced if the MPs in the governing party decide to do so or if they choose to resign.

In the UK, having a free press means that newspapers and other media outlets operate without government interference or control over their content.

The official residence of the UK Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street, located in central London near the Houses of Parliament.

The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party that has the most seats in the House of Commons.

The Welsh National Assembly has 60 Assembly members (AMs), and elections are held every four years using proportional representation.

People who cannot visit a polling station can apply for a postal ballot.

In Wales, the elected members, known as AMs, meet in the Welsh Assembly in the Senedd, in Cardiff Bay.

There are 33 local authorities in London, which include boroughs and councils.

The major political parties in the UK include the Conservative Party, Labour Party, and Liberal Democrats.

Ireland was divided into two separate nations in 1922.

The public galleries in the Palace of Westminster allow the public to listen to debates in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

The Northern Ireland Assembly can make decisions on issues such as education, agriculture, environment, health, and social services.

Local elections for most local authorities are held annually in May.

Entrance to the public galleries is free, though there may be long queues for the House of Commons.

Members of the House of Lords cannot stand for election to the House of Commons but can hold other public offices.

The public galleries in the Palace of Westminster allow the public to listen to debates in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

The Northern Ireland Assembly building, also known as Stormont, located in Belfast.

The form must be completed and returned with the names of all eligible voters to ensure they are registered.

The Scottish Parliament was established in 1999 and is located in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city.

Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election as an MP in the UK, though being nominated by a major party is more likely to result in a win.

Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) is a weekly session where MPs, including the Leader of the Opposition, question the Prime Minister about government decisions and policies.

The Northern Ireland Assembly was established soon after the Belfast Agreement (Good Friday Agreement) in 1998.

Ministers called ‘Secretaries of State’ are responsible for subjects like education, health, and defence.

The British Prime Minister also has a country house outside London known as Chequers.

Towns, cities, and rural areas in the UK are governed by democratically elected councils, known as local authorities.

Civil servants report to ministers who are responsible for government decisions.

The Prime Minister appoints about 20 senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments.

Members of the Welsh National Assembly are elected using a form of proportional representation, ensuring fair representation of political parties.

Elections for the National Assembly for Wales are held every four years using a form of proportional representation.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have devolved administrations, but they do not have full control over all laws and policies. Certain matters remain under the control of the UK government.

While most UK, Irish, or Commonwealth citizens over 18 can run for office, members of the armed forces are not eligible.

Each devolved administration in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland has its own civil service.