Chapter 5 focused study guide
British Constitution and Constitutional Monarchy
Understand the uncodified UK constitution, constitutional monarchy, parliamentary sovereignty and the institutions limiting power.
Section 5.3
The British constitution
The UK constitution is often described as uncodified because it is not contained in a single written document. Its rules come from Acts of Parliament, court judgments, conventions and authoritative works.
Constitutional monarchy means the monarch is head of state but political power is exercised through democratic institutions. The monarch’s formal actions are generally carried out on ministerial advice.
Parliamentary sovereignty is the principle that Parliament is the supreme law-making authority. At the same time, government remains accountable to Parliament and public authorities are subject to law.
Targeted practice
Questions about The British constitution
These questions prioritise terms covered on this page. Open an answer to review the explanation before moving to the full Chapter 5 practice set.
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Sample question 1
How many members does the Scottish Parliament have?
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Answer: 129
There are 129 members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), elected by a form of proportional representation.
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Sample question 2
What is the official home of the Prime Minister?
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Answer: 10 Downing Street
The official home of the Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street, in central London, near the Houses of Parliament. He or she also has a country house outside London called Chequers.
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Sample question 3
What is the name of the building where the Scottish Parliament meet?
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Answer: Holyrood
In Scotland the elected members, called MSPs, meet in the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh.
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Sample question 4
What is the relationship between the monarch and the government?
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Answer: Advise, warn and encourage the government’s decisions
The monarch has regular meetings with the Prime Minister and can advise, warn and encourage, but the decisions on government policies are made by the Prime Minister and cabinet.
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Sample question 5
The UK is a ‘constitutional monarchy’:
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Further verification
Official and primary sources
Use the official handbook for the knowledge syllabus. For current administrative information or broader context, consult the relevant primary source.
Reviewed 27 July 2026. See the editorial policy and factual update log.