Chapter 3: Who Rules Britain? Politics in the United Kingdom http://access.cappelen.no

History System evolved over time From king and nobility to commoners Magna Carta Civil war gives basis for constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy http://access.cappelen.no

Winner take all – the Electoral System House of Lords + House of Commons = Parliament 646 Members of parliament Each MP represents one constituency Max. five years between elections http://access.cappelen.no

The Election Process Dissolve parliament Campaign – three weeks Candidates Election Day – Thursday Polling stations http://access.cappelen.no

The Election Process First-past-the-post Unfair system? Compare with the Norwegian proportional system http://access.cappelen.no

System of Government Prime Minister Parliament leader of the strongest party leads government PM and government can lose support Parliament House of Commons elected members - MPs House of Lords not elected; less power http://access.cappelen.no

System of Government What does House of Commons do? Makes laws – legislation Passes the budget Monitors the government Debates issues “Recruiting office” Can force a government to resign http://access.cappelen.no

System of Government What does House of Lords do? Reviews/revises legislation Debating chamber Monitors the government Life peers with expertise Is the House of Lords necessary? - Reform in 1999 was quite cautious - Relatively slow reform process http://access.cappelen.no

System of Government What does the PM do? Chooses cabinet Decides the overriding strategy of government Patronage Can call an election Meets foreign leaders Debates in Parliament http://access.cappelen.no

System of Government The Cabinet: Approximately 20 members Responsible for Government’s policies Some of the major posts: Chancellor of the Exchequer Foreign Secretary Home Secretary http://access.cappelen.no

Political Parties Conservative Party Self-reliance, self-management Free market Relatively low taxation Relatively low public spending Yes to privatisation ”conservatism”: slow change/traditional values/family http://access.cappelen.no

Political Parties The Labour Party What is New Labour? Working-class/socialist Welfare state Nationalisation of key industries NHS More taxation, especially of the wealthy What is New Labour? http://access.cappelen.no

Political Parties The Liberal Democrats Combination of two parties Liberals and Social Democrats Freedom of the individual Opposed to both socialism and conservatism In favour of devolution Believe in market but not necessarily “Big Business” What is their biggest problem? http://access.cappelen.no