Political system
Constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy
Based in a largely unwritten constitution that has evolved over centuries
Gradually reducing the rights of the monarch and strengthening Parliament
The Sovereign
Monarch
Officially head of state, an appoint Supreme Court judges, who are independent from government, but he now represents rather then rules
First-past-the-post election system
Only one candidate in each consistuency is elected and all other votes are wasted
Benefits of the two large parties, while disadvantaging smaller ones
Two large parties
the Conservatives - tories
Labour Party
Advantages of the first-past-the-post election system
It is simple to understand, produce a strong, mainly single party governments and provides a close link between MPs and constituencies
The people..
Electorate: all British Nationals, over 18, in 650, Parliamentary constituencies of very different sizes)
Vote directly in general elections in the first-past-the-post system for up to five years
Elect the house of commons
Government of the United Kingdom
The Houses of Parliament
House of commons
House of lords
Prime Minister
Cabinet
Shadow cabinet
650 members of parliament (MPs), one for each constituency
Examine the work of the government
Debate and pass bills (draft for laws)
About 760 members (life peers and 26 Anglican bishops)
Advise on/suggest changes of bills
Can delay most bills for up to a year
Hereditary peerage abolished in 1999
The monarch
Official head of state and the Commonwealth
Commander in chief of the armed forces
Supreme governor of the Church of England
Hereditary and crowned for life
Representation of function; State Opening of Parliament each year in May/June
Appoint the prime minister and all Lords is in the House of Lords
Bills approved by Commons and Lords receive royal assent, becoming act of parliament, thereby law
Leader of the party winning most seats in the House of Commons
Represents government
Reports regulatory to the monarch
20 senior ministers appointed by Prime Minister, in charge of government departments
MPs and Lords from the second largest (official) opposition party
Responsible for checking in question in cabinet’s work
UK
Scotland
Wales
England
Northern Ireland
Last changeda year ago
