the government is chosen by the people indirectly. the people of the united kingdom vote in a general election, appointing representatives to the parliament, at least once every five years. the monarch must select as prime minister the person who is likely to have the support of parliament. by convention, that is normally the leader of the party that has the most mps in the house of commons. the prime minister leads the government and exercises executive power on behalf of the monarch, in accordance with the laws set by parliament, including appointing ministers to the executive branches of government.