United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (UK), officially known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, comprises four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. As a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy, the UK has London as its capital and King Charles III as the reigning monarch, with the Prime Minister serving as the head of government. The UK Parliament, based in Westminster, London, is bicameral, consisting of the House of Commons (elected) and the House of Lords (appointed and hereditary members). The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland handle issues such as health, education, and local governance, while broader issues like defense, foreign policy, and economic policy are managed centrally from Westminster.

Politically, the UK has experienced significant changes over recent years, including the controversial Brexit referendum of 2016, which led to its departure from the European Union in 2020. The political landscape is dominated by major parties such as the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, the Scottish National Party (SNP), and the Liberal Democrats. The UK’s governance focuses on economic growth, public healthcare (NHS), education, and foreign relations, while also addressing challenges like immigration, climate change, and national security.

The UK’s economy is one of the largest in the world, driven by sectors like finance, services, manufacturing, technology, and creative industries. London is a global financial hub, while cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cardiff play key roles in other industries. Despite Brexit-induced challenges, the UK remains a member of global institutions like the United Nations, NATO, the Commonwealth, and the G7, maintaining its role as a global influencer in diplomacy, defense, trade, and international aid.

In July 2024, BOOM fact-checked a viral video falsely claiming to show the new UK Justice Minister giving a speech.

BOOM’s investigation revealed that the person in the video was actually Shahid Malik, a former Labour leader who served as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Ministry of Justice until 2009.