The British Political System Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics Dong Fang College Toriano Cook

Find Someone Who…… Knows the name of the British Prime Minister Wants to work in government in the future Knows the government system of the UK. Can name the two major political parties of the UK. Knows the name of the current royal ruler of the UK.

History of British Politics British government has been removing the formal power of royalty over the past 800 years. The result has been a struggle and conflicts on governmental, social and religious levels. Today, the real authority in the British governmental and political system now rests with the Prime Minister, as it had once belonged solely to the monarch.

British Government Model The governmental model is usually can be described in two parts: As a constitutional monarchy: There exist a ruling King or Queen and a set of rules created by a Constitution A parliamentary system: Where publicly chosen officials represent the people of the country in making new laws and running the government.

The British Political System Britain is a constitutional monarchy The monarch is the official Head of State. The current monarch is Queen Elizabeth the Second The Monarch has no real powers - the role of the monarch is symbolic and ceremonial.

Queen Giving Opening Statements as Head of the UK at the Olympics.

At a ceremony held in Scotland

Official ‘Head of State’ dinner with National Leaders

During a ‘knighting’ ceremony (where citizens receive the title of “Sir”)

The English monarchy Succession to the throne is still hereditary (by birth), but only for Protestants in the direct line of descent (born in the family) Rule of the English monarchy has been interrupted only by the Cromwell republic of (During a revolution where the King was executed & the royal family fled to Scotland, to return 10 years later to restore the monarchy) there have been different families to rule.

The British monarchy: Queen Elizabeth the Second

The British monarchy: Prince Charles

New Royalty: Princess Diana

The British Monarchy: Prince William

New Royalty: Kate Middleton

The British monarchy The monarch serves formally as: * Head of State * Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and military * Supreme Governor of the Church of England

The British monarchy Although formally the monarch holds these positions, the Queen can only advice politicians and government officials. The monarch can not: ▫make laws ▫impose taxes ▫spend public money

“The Royal Family”

The Privy Council Privy: hidden or secret The Privy Council was a small group of royal advisers at court (the royal palace) Today, its main role is to advise the monarch on a range of matters Membership to the council is given for life by the monarch, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. There are about 380 Privy Councilors at present.

The Privy Council The council is not always in place. It is usually only summoned: on the death of a monarch (to decide the next leader to the throne); when there are serious constitutional issues; occasionally when a Commonwealth Heads of State Conference is held in London. (the Commonwealth being all of the nations once controlled by the United Kingdom)

“British Political History - Condensed”

Government of the United Kingdom The official name of the British government is Her Majesty’s Government. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister While the Prime Minister is NOT the Head of State he has many of the powers of the Head of State (like declare war) The present Prime Minister is David Cameron.

The Constitution of the UK A set of laws and rules governing the nation. Unlike most countries, Britain does not have a single document which serves as its constitution. Britain’s constitution is uncodified, which means it cannot be found in any single document (unwritten). The first written code of law in any part of the United Kingdom was the Magna Carta (in latin, in English called the Great Charter). The Magna Carta was created in 1215 and is the oldest written form of law in the English speaking world today. (the US Constitution is the oldest written law in the world still in use as the bases of national law).

The Magna Carta

Sources of the British Constitution? The British constitution is drawn from a number of sources, such as: ▫British Parliament ▫European Union ▫The European Convention on Human Rights ▫Decisions by courts of law ▫Precedents/Conventions (past rules and decisions about law)

Branches of British Government There are 3 main branches of government: ▫The Legislature (makes laws)  the Parliament ▫The Executive (enforces laws)  the Prime Minister and his Cabinet of Ministers ▫The Judiciary (protects laws)  the courts Most English speaking countries around the world have a similar system of government.

Sovereignty: being free from others In the British political system, the legislature is sovereign. This means that the Parliament rules over ALL other governmental institutions and can pass any laws it wishes!

Legislature: the Parliament

The legislative branch of the British political system is made of two bodies which are both located at the Palace of Westminster: ▫The House of Commons ▫The House of Lords

The House of Commons The House of Commons is made up of 646 Members of Parliament (MPs). Each MP represents an individual constituency (a different area of the UK). The primary function of the House of Commons is to debate and pass laws.

The House of Lords There 746 lords There are three types of lords: Lords Temporal - these are Lords who have been appointed by the government and hereditary Lords Law Lords - these are lords who are lawyers and judges Lords Spiritual - these are senior members of the Church of England

The House of Lords The House of Lords serves a number of functions: ▫To examine laws passed by the House of Commons and make suggestions for improvements. ▫To act as the highest court of appeals in Britain.

British Elections

Elections in the UK Generally, the people vote for local officials, mayors, representatives to the European Parliament and Police commissioners (head of the police force). These elections are held every year, usually on the same date each year. Elections for members of Parliament, which decides the Prime Minister are held every 5 years and called General Elections.

General Elections Britain is divided up into 646 constituencies (districts or areas for voting) About 70,000 people live in each constituency Every British citizen (or Commonwealth or Irish citizens who are resident in the UK) over the age of 18 can vote People who are in prison or with serious mental disabilities cannot vote during elections.

General Elections There is NO set date for general elections in Britain. But the maximum time between general elections is 5 years. The current Prime Minister decides when to call for a general election. Although the power is officially that of the Queen, she can only advise the Prime Minister as to when to have these elections.

Voting in a General Election Britain uses the First Past the Post electoral system. You get a ballot paper with a choice of candidates and you go into a private booth, mark an ‘X’ next to the person you want to be your member of Parliament. You fold up your ballot paper and put it into a box. Voting is secret! The person with the most votes then becomes the MP for your constituency in parliament.

Voting in a General Election Only members of the House of Commons run for election. Members must run for re-election during every General Election. Most MPs belongs to a political party. The political party with the most members in Parliament controls the government and they choose the next Prime Minister. If the old Prime Minister’s political party, he/she can choose to stay in office (but by order, should resign or leave the office.)

How To Become a member of Parliament ANYBODY can run as a candidate in a general election, provided they are: ▫Over 18 years old ▫A British citizen (or Commonwealth or Irish citizen resident in the UK) ▫Are able to pay a deposit of £500 (about 7000 RMB)

Political Parties of the UK You do not have to belong to a political party to be an MP but most MPs belong to one of the main political parties. Currently the three biggest parties in Britain in terms of MPs: Labour Party Conservative Party Liberal Democrat Party

Known as being ‘center – left’ Most Socialist party of the UK Party of the last two Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Created in 1918 as a party for trade unions and the rights of workers.

Conservative ideas or traditional Formerly know as the ‘Tory’ Party The party of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Currently the largest party of the Parliament. Party of the current Prime Minister, David Cameron.

Considered to be the ‘party of the youth’ and radical left. (very open to new ideas and change) Human rights, environmentalism and civil rights Social Democratic: value features of socialism, with parts of democracy (like open elections by the people).

Other Important Political Parties Democratic Unionist: very conservative and religious Scottish National: Party for an independent Scotland Sinn Fein: party for full independence of Ireland Plaid Cymru: party for independence of Wales

Devolution The House of Commons and House of Lords are the parliament for the United Kingdom and local laws of England. There are also smaller parliaments and assemblies for making local laws for the other three countries of Britain:  Scotland  Wales  Northern Ireland

“Adversarial Politics” The British Parliament is designed so members of different parties face each other. This leads to what is called adversarial politics (politicians argue with each other) The most arguments happen during Prime Ministers Questions. This takes place once a week and politicians ask the Prime Minister difficult questions about his actions. Very different from the polite nature of British culture.

“Funniest House of Commons Moments”