Where does political power reside: with the citizen, parliament or government?

Grasp the concept of political power as the ability to influence or control people’s behaviour or the course of events.
Appreciate that political power in the UK is primarily held by the citizen, the government, or the parliament.
Recognise that this balance of power is both complex and fluid, often shifting due to changes in society, law, and politics.

Understand that citizens hold power through the democratic right to vote in local and national elections, and thus have a direct role in deciding who forms the government.
Acknowledge that citizens can also exercise power in less formal ways such as through protests, petitions, or lobbying, which can influence public opinion and create pressure for changes in policy.

Acknowledge that the UK is a parliamentary democracy, meaning that the UK Parliament holds significant power.
Understand that Parliament has the power to make and change laws.
Recognise that Parliament also has the role of scrutinising the government, which includes questioning ministers, debating policies and examining the work of the government.

Recognise that the government, formed by the political party or coalition with the most seats in the House of Commons, wields significant political power.
Realise that the government has the power to propose new laws and set the policy agenda, effectively establishing the priorities for how the country will be governed.
Understand that the government also has the power to take action and make decisions in a wide range of areas, from foreign policy to health and education.

Note that the UK’s system of checks and balances helps ensure that power does not concentrate in the hands of a single group.
Realise that these checks and balances, including the ability of the judiciary to rule on the legality of actions taken by the government, the role of opposition parties in checking government actions in parliament, and the power of the citizen to vote at regular intervals, all work together to prevent the abuse of power.
Understand that the continuous interaction between the power of the citizen, the power of the Parliament and the power of the government is what shapes the nature of governance in the UK.