The UK and international institutions
The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth is an association of countries that support each other and work together towards shared goals in democracy and development. Most member states were once part of the British Empire, although a few countries which were not have also joined.
The Queen is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, which currently has 54 member states (see table below). Membership is voluntary. The Commonwealth has no power over its members, although it can suspend membership. The Commonwealth is based on the core values of democracy, good government and the rule of law.
| Commonwealth members | ||
| Antigua and Barbuda | Australia | The Bahamas |
| Bangladesh | Barbados | Belize |
| Botswana | Brunei Darussalam | Cameroon |
| Canada | Cyprus | Dominica |
| Fiji (currently suspended) | The Gambia | Ghana |
| Grenada | Guyana | India |
| Jamaica | Kenya | Kiribati |
| Lesotho | Malawi | Malaysia |
| Maldives | Malta | Mauritius |
| Mozambique | Namibia | Nauru |
| New Zealand | Nigeria | Pakistan |
| Papua New Guinea | Rwanda | Samoa |
| Seychelles | Sierra Leone | Singapore 137 |
| Solomon Islands | South Africa | Sri Lanka |
| St Kitts and Nevis | St Lucia | St Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Swaziland | Tanzania | Tonga |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Tuvalu | Uganda |
| UK | Vanuatu | Zambia |
The European Union
The European Union (EU), originally called the European Economic Community (EEC), was set up by six western European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) who signed the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957. The UK originally decided not to join this group but it became a member in 1973. There are now 27 EU member states (see table below). Croatia will also become a member state in 2013.
| EU member states | ||
| Austria | Belgium | Bulgaria |
| Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark |
| Estonia | Finland | France |
| Germany | Greece | Hungary |
| Ireland | Italy | Latvia |
| Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta |
| Netherlands | Poland | Portugal |
| Romania | Slovakia | Slovenia |
| Spain | Sweden | UK |
EU law is legally binding in the UK and all the other EU member states. European laws are called directives, regulations or framework decisions.
The Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is separate from the EU. It has 47 member countries, including the UK, and is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights in those countries. It has no power to make laws but draws up conventions and charters, the most well-known of which is the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, usually called the European Convention on Human Rights.
The United Nations
The UK is part of the United Nations (UN), an international organisation with more than 190 countries as members.
The UN was set up after the Second World War and aims to prevent war and promote international peace and security. There are 15 members on the UN Security Council, which recommends action when there are international crises and threats to peace. The UK is one of five permanent members of the Security Council.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
The UK is also a member of NATO. NATO is a group of European and North American countries that have agreed to help each other if they come under attack. It also aims to maintain peace between all of its members.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of countries that work together on democracy and development. Most members were once part of the British Empire. The Queen is its ceremonial head, and it currently has 54 member states. It has no power over members but can suspend membership, and it is based on democracy, good government and the rule of law. The European Union began as the European Economic Community, set up by six western European countries that signed the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957. The UK joined in 1973. There are now 27 EU member states. EU law is legally binding in the UK and other member states; European laws are called directives, regulations or framework decisions. The Council of Europe is separate from the EU. It has 47 member countries, promotes human rights and draws up conventions and charters, but cannot make laws. The UN was set up after the Second World War to prevent war and promote peace and security; the UK is one of five permanent members of its 15-member Security Council. NATO is a group of European and North American countries that agree to help each other if attacked and to maintain peace between members.
The handbook text is reproduced under the terms printed in Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, 3rd edition: © Crown copyright 2013. It is reproduced accurately, the title is given, and this site does not use the Home Office crest or imitate the official edition. We are not an official publication. The reproduced text is the 3rd edition (2013). Later official impressions changed some references from the Queen to King Charles III and renamed some institutions. Where something looks dated, check the current official handbook on GOV.UK.
Practice questions
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Which statement about the Commonwealth is correct?
Commonwealth membership is voluntary; it can suspend members but has no law-making power.In which year did the UK join the European Union?
The UK became an EU member in 1973, after originally choosing not to join.What is the Council of Europe responsible for?
The Council of Europe protects and promotes human rights but cannot make laws.Which organisation is a group of European and North American countries that agree to help each other if attacked?
NATO members are European and North American countries that agree to mutual help if attacked.