The British constitution

The UK's constitution isn't written down in a single document, and that fact on its own is worth remembering. This section covers the monarch's role and how power is shared with the devolved nations.

From chapter 5 of the handbook: The UK government, the law and your role

Ways to remember it

Kept by the UK government, not the devolved ones: defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security.

What you need to know

The UK has an unwritten constitution, meaning there is no single document setting it out.
The UK is a constitutional monarchy, so the monarch is head of state but does not rule.
The monarch is politically neutral and acts on the advice of the government.
The monarch opens each new parliamentary session with a speech setting out the government's policies.
The monarch appoints the prime minister, who is the leader of the party that can command a majority in the House of Commons.
The Commonwealth is an association of countries that were mostly once part of the British Empire.
Membership of the Commonwealth is voluntary, and it has no power over its members.
Devolution is the transfer of powers from central government to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security stay with the UK government, while services such as health and education are run by the devolved administrations.
The Scottish Parliament sits at Holyrood in Edinburgh, the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff Bay and the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont in Belfast.
The Scottish Parliament can make laws for Scotland on anything not reserved to the UK Parliament.
The Council of Europe is responsible for human rights across its member states, and the UK is a member.

Our summary, in our own words. The test can ask about anything in the chapter, so read the official handbook too.

Practice questions on the British constitution

All 12 of our questions on this topic. Say your answer before you open it: trying to answer first helps you remember it.

Which statement about the UK constitution is correct?
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- It is unwritten, meaning there is no single document setting it out
The UK has an unwritten constitution. There is no one document that contains it.
What does it mean that the UK is a constitutional monarchy?
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- The monarch is head of state but does not rule
The monarch is head of state, but governs through ministers rather than ruling personally.
What is the monarch's political role?
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- To remain politically neutral and act on the advice of the government
The monarch is politically neutral and acts on the government's advice.
What does the monarch do at the opening of each new parliamentary session?
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- Gives a speech setting out the government's policies
The monarch opens each session with a speech setting out the government's policies.
Who does the monarch appoint as prime minister?
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- The leader of the party that can command a majority in the House of Commons
The monarch appoints the leader of the party that can command a majority in the Commons.
What is the Commonwealth?
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- An association of countries that were mostly once part of the British Empire
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of countries, most of which were once part of the British Empire.
Does the Commonwealth have power over its members?
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- No, membership is voluntary and it has no power over them
Membership is voluntary and the Commonwealth has no power over its members.
What is devolution?
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- The transfer of powers from central government to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Devolution is the transfer of powers from central government to the devolved nations.
Which TWO of these are NOT devolved, and remain with the UK government?
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- Defence
- Foreign affairs
Defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security stay with the UK government. Services such as health and education are run by the devolved administrations.
Changed since the book: Since the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Parliament sets income tax rates and bands in Scotland.
Where does the Scottish Parliament sit?
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- Holyrood in Edinburgh
The Scottish Parliament sits at Holyrood in Edinburgh, the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff Bay and the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont in Belfast.
Changed since the book: The Welsh Assembly has been called the Senedd, or Welsh Parliament, since 2020.
What can the Scottish Parliament make laws on?
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- Any matter for Scotland not reserved to the UK Parliament
The Scottish Parliament makes laws for Scotland on anything not specifically reserved to the UK Parliament. Defence and foreign affairs are reserved.
Changed since the book: Since the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Parliament sets income tax rates and bands in Scotland.
What is the Council of Europe responsible for?
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- Human rights across its member states
The Council of Europe is responsible for human rights across its member states, and the UK is a member.

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Chapter 5 practice test: The British constitution · 12 questions · 23 minutes if you take it timed

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