Monarchy, Parliament, Election and the Prime Minister of the UK Joanna Rocznik, Anna Trybus

MONARCHY Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom. ___________________________________ The British monarchy is known as a constitutional monarchy.

WHAT IS CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY? Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a king or queen acts as Head of State. ___________________________________ The ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament, not with the Monarch.

THE HISTORY OF MONARCHY

THE ROLE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY Members of the Royal Family support The Queen in her many State and national duties, as well as carrying out important work in the areas of public and charitable service, and helping to strengthen national unity and stability. ___________________________________ http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/HistoryoftheMonarchy.aspx

The Parliament The Parliament is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories. ___________________________________ Full name: the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Location: the Palace of Westminster; ‘Houses of Parliament’ - on the River Thames, in the city of Westminster in London.

History of the British Parliament First meeting was in 1707 ___________________________________ 1801 – Irish MPs enter the House of Commons and have some representatives in the House of Lords

The two – House system THE QUEEN HOUSE OF LORDS HOUSE OF COMMONS

Members of the Parliament House of Lords – members (appointed by the Queen) The Lords Spiritual (the Senior bishops of the Church of England) The Lords Temporal (members of the Peerage) Law Lords (judges)

House of Commons (democratically elected) The Prime Minister Government ministers

Bills – laws in draft form Work of the Parliament Bills – laws in draft form The first reading (introduce) The second reading (debate, now the House may vote to reject the bill) The bill is sent to a committee Consideration stage (further details) The third reading The bill is sent to another House (it has to pass the same form) Bill may be presented for the Sovereign’s Assent FILMIK

‘First-Past-the-Post’ system – simple majority system: General elections The UK public elects MPs who represent them in the House of Common. ___________________________________ General elections take place at least every 5 years. ‘First-Past-the-Post’ system – simple majority system: in each constituency wins the candidate with most votes votes are counted in public

How to become an MP You must be: 18 years old British citizen (or citizen of a Commonwealth country or the Republic of Ireland) ___________________________________ You mustn’t be: A convicted prisoner serving a sentence of over 12 months A bishop (Lord Spiritual) The Queen

You may be: What is required? Either ‘independent’ or stand for a specific registered party ___________________________________ What is required? A deposit of £500 (it is returned if the candidate receives over 5% of votes) FILMIK

The Prime Minister - Responsibilities The Prime Minister is head of the UK government and is ultimately responsible for the policy and decisions of the government.

Current role holder: The Rt Hon David Cameron MP David Cameron became Prime Minister in May 2010, when he led a Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government. He continued as Prime Minister from May 2015, leading a Conservative government. He was elected the Conservative MP for Witney in West Oxfordshire in 2001.

Past Prime Ministers Gordon Brown (2007-2010) Tony Blair (1997-2007) Sir John Major (1990-1997) FILMIK

Thank you for your attention, my wayward sons, you have peace – we are done