Is the British system of government a parliamentary democracy?

Okay, let's break down why the UK's government is indeed a parliamentary democracy. The key here is understanding what that term actually means. "Parliamentary" refers to the fact that the UK has a Parliament, composed of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, which is central to the government. The House of Commons is made up of elected representatives, Members of Parliament or MPs, who are chosen by the public in general elections. "Democracy" means that the people have a say in how the country is run, and they exercise this say by electing these representatives. So, the UK combines these two elements: a Parliament elected by the people. The elected Parliament makes laws and holds the government accountable. While the monarch is the Head of State, their role is largely symbolic. Real power rests with the elected officials in Parliament. This system evolved over centuries, with milestones like the Magna Carta in 1215 limiting the power of the monarch and the gradual expansion of voting rights to include all adults. Therefore, because the UK has an elected Parliament that makes laws, it is accurately described as a parliamentary democracy.