GCSE-readyGovernment, the Prime Minister and the Opposition
Parliament and the government are not the same thing. The government runs the country; Parliament makes laws and checks the government.
Three branches of the state
The executive (the government) runs the country and puts laws into action.
The judiciary (judges) interprets the law and decides cases, independently of the government.
Keeping these roles apart is called the separation of powers. In the UK the legislature and executive overlap, because ministers are also members of Parliament.
Forming a government
A majority means more than half of the 650 MPs: at least 326.
The Prime Minister chooses ministers. The most senior form the Cabinet, such as the Chancellor of the Exchequer (the economy) and the Home Secretary (policing and immigration).
Civil servants run government departments. They must be politically neutral and serve whichever government is elected.
The Opposition
The Opposition questions and challenges the government, and offers an alternative.
The government is accountable to Parliament through debates, votes, questions such as Prime Minister's Questions, and select committees that investigate its work.
A party wins 340 of the 650 seats. Does it have a majority, and by how much?
- A majority needs more than half of 650: at least 326 seats.
- 340 is more than 326, so yes.
- The other parties together have 650 minus 340 = 310 seats, so its majority over all others is 340 minus 310 = 30.
Answer: Yes, an overall majority of 30.
Parliament (the legislature) makes laws; the government (the executive) runs the country; judges (the judiciary) decide cases independently. The Prime Minister leads the government and chooses the Cabinet. The Official Opposition challenges the government.
- Prime Minister
- The head of the UK government, usually the leader of the party that can command the confidence of the House of Commons.
- Opposition
- Parties not in government. The largest is the Official Opposition, led by the Leader of the Opposition.
- Legislature
- The branch of the state that makes laws: in the UK, Parliament.
- Executive
- The branch of the state that runs the country and carries out laws: the government.
- Judiciary
- Judges, who interpret the law and decide cases independently of the government.
- Cabinet
- The group of the most senior government ministers, chaired by the Prime Minister.
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2 more questions
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Which branch of the state makes laws?
- The legislature (Parliament)
- The executive (the government)
- The judiciary (judges)
- The civil service
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Answer: The legislature (Parliament)
Parliament is the legislature; it makes laws.
Which branch of the state interprets the law and decides court cases?
- The judiciary
- The executive
- The legislature
- The Cabinet
Show the answer
Answer: The judiciary
The judiciary is made up of judges and must be independent of the government.
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- National Curriculum in England, Key Stage 3: Citizenship programme of study
- GOV.UK: How government works
- UK Parliament: Parliament and the Government
Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 16 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.