Study guide · Chapter 5

The UK government, the law and your role

Parliament, the constitution, the courts, and what is expected of you in your community.

What's in this chapter

• The Commonwealth
• The European Union
• The Council of Europe
• The United Nations
• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
• Values and responsibilities
• Being a good neighbour
• Jury service
• School governors and school boards
• Helping in schools
• Supporting political parties
• Helping with local services
• Blood and organ donation
• Other ways to volunteer
• Looking after the environment
• The UK and international institutions
• How you can support your community
• Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role
• The development of British democracy
• The British constitution
• Constitutional institutions
• The monarchy
• Elections
• The national anthem
• Oath of allegiance
• The House of Commons
• The House of Lords
• The Speaker
• The Prime Minister
• The cabinet
• The opposition
• The party system
• The civil service
• Local government
• Devolved administrations
• The Welsh government
• The Scottish Parliament
• The Northern Ireland Assembly
• The media and government
• Who can vote?
• The electoral register
• Where to vote
• Standing for office
• The government
• Fundamental principles
• Equal opportunities
• Domestic violence
• Female genital mutilation
• Forced marriage
• Taxation
• Getting a National Insurance number
• Driving
• The law in the UK
• The police and their duties
• Terrorism and extremism
• The judiciary
• Magistrates' and Justice of the Peace Courts
• Crown Courts and Sheriff Courts
• Youth Courts
• Civil courts
• The small claims procedure
• The role of the courts

The facts people get wrong

These are the hardest questions in our chapter 5 bank. If you can answer these, the rest of the chapter will look easy.

1. 1. When did Brexit officially take place?

   1. At 23:00 GMT on 31 January 2020
   2. At 23:00 GMT on 31 December 2020
   3. On 23 June 2016, the day of the referendum
   4. On 1 January 2016
   Show answer

   Answer: A. At 23:00 GMT on 31 January 2020

   Following the Brexit vote, the UK's departure from the European Union formally took effect at 23:00 GMT on 31 January 2020.

   Handbook section 5.7

2. 2. How many members are there on the UN Security Council?

   1. 15
   2. 5
   3. 27
   4. 47
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 15

   The Security Council has 15 members and recommends action when there are international crises and threats to peace. Five of those 15 are permanent members, and the UK is one of them.

   Handbook section 5.7

3. 3. The National Citizen Service programme is aimed at which age group?

   1. 16- and 17-year-olds
   2. 11- and 12-year-olds
   3. 18- to 25-year-olds
   4. Anyone over 21
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 16- and 17-year-olds

   The National Citizen Service gives 16- and 17-year-olds the chance to take part in outdoor activities, develop their skills and work on a community project, with accreditation for what they achieve.

   Handbook section 5.8

4. 4. How many member countries does the Council of Europe have?

   1. 47
   2. 27
   3. 15
   4. 54
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 47

   The Council of Europe is a separate body from the EU. Its 47 member countries, including the UK, work to protect and promote human rights. It cannot make laws, but it draws up conventions — the best known being the European Convention on Human Rights.

   Handbook section 5.7

5. 5. In which year were men and women given the vote on equal terms, at the age of 21?

   1. 1928
   2. 1918
   3. 1938
   4. 1969
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 1928

   Women over 30 were first given the vote by 1918. Equality came in 1928, when both men and women could vote from the age of 21.

   Handbook section 5.2

How to revise it

Read the handbook chapter once, straight through, without trying to memorise anything. Then come and do our chapter 5 practice questions. Every question you get wrong points you at a handbook section — go and read that section properly, then come back. Repeat until you're getting them right without hesitating.