Political system of Great Britain | Anglictina-maturita.cz

Otázka: The political system of Great Britain

Jazyk: Angličtina

Přidal(a): a-mpytlikova

Political system

Democracy governed within the framework of constitutional monarchy
- Official head of state is the monarch, but his or her powers are limited by the constitution
The United Kingdom’s constitution is unwritten
- Based on the agreement, tradition, and common law (set of laws, tradition)
- The British system of government is the oldest parliamentary democracy in Europe
Member of nearly all important international organizations: UN, EU, NATO and OECD

Head of the state: the Monarch (Queen Elizabeth )

Four descendants: Charles (Prince of Wales), Andrew, Edward and Anne
Husband: Duke of Edinburgh, sister Margaret
The heir of the throne is William
Became Queen in 1952
She can only reign with the support of Parliament – symbolic head
regular meetings with the Prime minister and she is informed about Cabinet decisions
seat in Buckingham Palace, Windsor castle (weekend house+state visites)

Duties:

Powers:

Ceremonies:

State Opening of the Parliament
- Every year opens parliamentary session in May
- Queen’s speech: from the Throne in the House of Lords
Garter service: an order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348
- the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system
Trooping the colour: on official Queen’s birthday
- a ceremony performed by regiments of the British Army
- held annually on the second Saturday in June
- usually takes place at Horse Guards Parade by St James’s Park, London
- the ceremony is broadcast live by the BBC within the UK

Political power: legislative – executive – judicial

Legislative (Parliament)
- The supreme law-making body in the country
- Seat in Westminster Palace (Houses Parliament)
- Chambers: House of Lords and the House of Commons
- Two sessions: each session lasts a year, final session terminated by dissolution

Functions:

Law-making
Proposals for new bills
All the parliamentary proceedings are public, they are broadcasted on TV or radio
House of Lords
- Formed in 11^th century (older)
- Members are appointed by the Queen
- Lords Temporal: hereditary peers and life peers
  - Hereditary peers – inherit their post from generation to generation
  - Life peers – become peers when they do something important for the state

- Lords Spiritual: 24 bishops and 2 archbishops
  - Lord Chancellor: the leader of the House of Lords
  - Lord Speaker: attends and speaks at ceremonial occasions
House of Commons
- Originated in 13^th century (younger)
- Contains 650 members
- Members are elected – every 5 years
- Each MP represents a definite part of a county
- Candidates must be over 21, the minimum voting age is 18
- New bills are introduced and debated (law-making authority)
  - A bill must pass through the Houses and then is sent to the Queen for Royal Assent
- The speaker: the chief of the House (elected), maintains order in the House
Executive (Government)
- The party, which wins the majority of seats, forms the Government
- Prime Minister: head of the Government
  - leader of the winning party
  - Elected every 5 years
  - Selects all remaining ministers
  - Current Prime Minister: Boris Johnson (Conservative party)
- Cabinet: the executive organ of government
  - Meets weekly at 10 Downing Street (home of British Prime Ministers)
  - The second party becomes the Opposition and forms the Shadow-Cabinet
- Political parties: Conservative party and Labour party
Judicial (Supreme court of the UK)
- Independent of the executive and the legislative

Terms Great Britain and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:

Bill = proposal for a new law