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London has evolved into the nation's sovereign power, while the monarchy remains sovereign in name only. Technically, it consists of the Monarch, the House of Commons, and the House of Lords, but the term usually refers only to Commons, a democratically elected body of 651 members.

The House of Lords is composed of peers and Anglican prelates. Since 1911 its powers have been negligible. The House of Commons is presided over by a non-partisan speaker elected by Commons, which also elects the Prime Minister – currently Tony Blair from the Labour party (the officeholder is the leader of the party with a majority of members in the legislature. If support is lost in the legislature, the prime minister is expected to resign); the executive head of government, by modern tradition, must be a member of Commons. The rest of the government's ministers, the Cabinet, may be selected from either house. Thus, the executive branch is, in effect, a committee of the legislature.

Elections must be held every five years; the prime minister may call elections earlier, although no more frequently than once a year. If the party in power fails to obtain a parliamentary majority on an important issue, it must call a general election. The major parties in Parliament are Conservative (Tory), Labour, and the coalition of Social Democrats and Liberals.

The origins of Parliament go back to the medieval Curia Regis, or great council, a body of noble and ecclesiastical advisers to the monarch that evolved into the House of Lords. Quasi-legislative, it was primarily a judicial and executive body. In the 13th century representatives of the knights and burgesses were also assembled to approve royal acts. Parliamentary power grew slowly in relation to that of the monarchy. During the English civil war (1642-48) and its aftermath Parliament gained legislative supremacy over taxation and expenditures. Parliamentary sovereignty was permanently affirmed by the glorious revolution (1688). Demands for representation by the new classes created by the industrial revolution led in the 19th century to passage of reform bills that greatly extended male suffrage; universal male and female suffrage was granted in the 20th cent.