Gordon Brown took over as PM in mid-parliamentary term

The government is normally formed by the leader of the party that wins the most seats in the general election.

If the party wins an overall majority (more than half) of the seats, the government will comprise some of the elected members belonging to that party - and possibly some of its members in the House of Lords.

If the leading party does not have an overall majority, its leader may have to approach other parties to enable it to form a minority government (as the then Tory Prime Minister Edward Heath tried to do in 1974) and allow some of its coalition partners to have representation in the government.

Otherwise, the party leader may have to call another general election in the hope of gaining enough seats to form a new, majority government.

A government's actions - and particularly its proposals to amend or create laws - are scrutinised within parliament.

This can be by direct questioning in the Commons or Lords, by parliamentary committee, or indirectly by the public, who may lobby their representatives in Parliament on general matters or government actions that affect them.

Most government business is conducted by the relevant department of state, headed by a minister, often with the title secretary of state.

Most department heads, together with other key government figures, will also sit in the Cabinet, appointed by the prime minister, to discuss pertinent issues and decide policy.

The Cabinet meets in the Cabinet Room at Downing Street

Parliamentary material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO on behalf of Parliament.

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