THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN BRITAINTHE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN BRITAIN

The crownThe crown

The monarch is the head of the state and symbol for the unity of the nation.The monarchy is hereditary.

The monarchs powers:Dissolve Parliament.Appoint government ministers, judges, officers etc.Confer peerages and knighthoods.Remit sentences to convicted criminals.Declare war or make peace

WhitehallWhitehall

Her majestys government governs in the name of the Queen.The leader of the majority party form a government.The ministers are members of the House of Commons or the House of Lords.Most governments consist of 100 ministers.The core is the Cabinet with 20 ministers.

The Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet.The ministers have to obey the Prime Minister.All senior government ministers have the title of Secretary of State.They have junior ministers to help them with the workload.

The Civil Service administers the decisions of ministers.The Civil Service employs almost 500 000 people.It is expected that the Civil Service does its work in a impartial way.The Cabinet Office is the heart of the Civil Service.

The Cabinet Office is running the whole Civil Service and serving ministers.The Permanent Secretary is the leader of a ministery.There is a strong tradition of loyalty on the part of civil servants towards their ministers.

WestminsterWestminster

Parliament is known as Westminster.Parliament is the seat of British democracy.Parliament is the supreme legislative body of the state.

Parliaments function:To pass laws.Raise enough money through taxation.To examine government policy and administration.Discuss important political issues.

The electoral systemThe electoral system

The United Kingdom is divided into constituencies.Each constituency elects one Member of Parliament to sit in the House of Commons.Today there are 659 seats in the Commons.All British citizens can vote if they are over 18 y.o.Insane people and prisoners can also vote.

If a Member of Parlliament resigns or dies, a by – election must be held.MPs are chosen by the constituency branch of the party.

The party systemThe party system

There are three political parties in Britain:The Conservative Party.The Labour Party.The Liberal Party.

The Conservative PartyThe Conservative Party

It is the party of the RightThe idea of economic freedom.Patriotism.Receiving money from big companies and rich people.Law and order and strong armed forces.

The Labour PartyThe Labour Party

The party of social justice.Achievement of well-being and opportunity for all members of society.Public ownership of major industries.Economic planning.The trade union movement.

The House of CommonsThe House of Commons

Its 659 members represent 529 constituencies in England, 40 in Wales, 72 in Scotland and 18 in Northern Ireland.There are only seats in the Commons debating chamber for 370 members.The front benches are reserved for members of the Cabinet and the Shadow Cabinet.Behind them sit the backbenchers.

The Speaker is responsible for order in the Commons.MPs are paid salaries – twice the average national wage.

The House of LordsThe House of Lords

The House of Lords is the upper chamber of Parliament.It is not democratic.1197 members.300 peers meet daily in the House of Lords.Judges and archbishops.Their job is to warn governments.

The Lord Chanchellor is the leader of the House of Lords.Most peers support the Conservative Party.

Parliamentary procedureParliamentary procedure

Each parliamentary session opens with the State Opening of Parliament.The Queen delivers a speech from the throne in the House of Lords.The Commons has a meeting each weekday afternoon.Each day begins with Question Time where MPs ask ministers.

After Question Time, the main debate takes place.Parliament,s most important function is to create law.

Parliamentary committees.Parliamentary committees.

The Commons have a number of standing committees.The committee system consists of 17 individual committees.