The United Kingdom of GB and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy. The present sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, wass crowned in 1952, but in fact she has no real political power. The United Kingdom is actually governed by the Cabinet, consisting of about twenty leading ministers, which is headed by the Prime minister. The Cabinet is responsible to Parliament and meets, where the Prime Minister has his official residence, at 10 Downing Street.

The supreme legislative body is Parliament. It consists of House of Lords and the and the House of Commons. The House of Commons has 630 memebers elected by universal suffrage for a maximum term of 5 years. The House of Lords which also functions as the highest court in the land, consists of some 1000 members including hereditary and life peers. The Parliament has the law making power in GB.
- making laws
- providing money for government through taxation
- examing of government policy, administration and spending
- debating political questions

Functions of the sovereign
- The Queen can, on ministerial advice, pardon or show mercy to those convicted
of crimes
- Foreign diplomatic representatives in London are accredited to the Queen and
she has the power to conclude treaties, to declare war and to make peace, to
recognise foreign states and governments and to annex and cede territory
- In addition to being informed and consulted about all aspects of national life,
the Queen is free to put forward her own views, in private, for the
consideration of her Ministers. - The Queen has the power to confer peerages, knighthoods and other honours. - opening and closing Parliament
- approving the appointment of the Prime Minister
- gives her royal Assent to bills

The UK constitution is not written. It is formed partly by statuate, partly by common law, and partly by practices known as conventions. The rules of the constituion have never beem codified and can be adapted to changing conditions at any time by ACT of parliament or by the general acceptance of a new convention.