GOVERNMENT The system of Government British government is democratic, yet ts people are not, as one might expect in a democracy, constitutionally in control the statei. British sovereignty collectively resides in the three elements of Parliament: the Crown, and Parliament’s two chambers, the House of Lords and the House of Commons

The Crown The reigning monarch is not only head of state but symbol of the unity of the nation. The monarchy is hereditary, the succession passing automatically to the oldest male child, or in the absence of males, to the oldest female offspring of the monarch.

Succession is automatic on the death of the monarch, confirmed later by a formal coronation ceremony. In law, the monarch is head of the executive and of the judiciary, head of the Church of England, and commanders-in-chief of the armed forces.

Since 1689, the monarch’s sovereign powers have been formally limited by the idea that national sovereignty resides in ‘the Crown in Parliament’—the idea that Crown is only sovereign by the will of Parliament. Nevertheless, the function of the monarch is politically important.

The Whitehall as the seat of government ‘Her Majesty’s Government’ governs in the name of the Queen, and its hub, Downing Street, lies in Whitehall, a short walk from Parliament. Government ministers are almost invariably members of the House of Commons, but infrequently members of the House of Lords are appointed.

Most governments consist of about one hundred ministers, but the essential core is the Cabinet, the twenty or so most senior ministers invited by the Prime Minister to belong to it. Cabinet government demands collective responsibility and confidentiality.

The Prime Minister must give strong leadership, he or she must allow for each minister to exercise responsibility within their field and should encourage collective decision making on controversial issues, particularly ones beyond the responsibility of one ministry.

Although government is essentially political, it depends upon a permanent body of officials, the Civil Service, to administer the decisions of ministers and to keep the wheels of government The heart of Civil Service is the Cabinet Office, whose Secretary is the senior civil servant at any given time.

Parliament is the seat of British democracy, but it’s perhaps valuable to remember that while the House of Lords was created in order to provide a council of the nobility for the king, the Commons were summoned originally in order to provide the king with money. Parliament is the supreme legislative body of the state.

Parliament’s functions: 1. to pass laws 2. to raise enough money through taxation to enable the government to function 3. to examine government policy and administration, particularly its financial program 4. to debate or discuss important political issues.

THE ELECTORAL AND PARTY SYSTEM The United Kingdom, for electoral purposes, is divided into constituencies, each one of which elects a Member of Parliament to sit in the House of Commons. The candidate in a constituency who gains most votes is returned as Member to the Commons.

If a Member of Parliament (MP) resigns, dies or is made a peer during the lifetime of a Parliament, a by-election must be held in his or her old constituency to elect a new member.

POLITICAL PARTIES The Conservative Party is the party of the Right, identified with the idea of economic freedom and of resistance to change party of patriotism. The Labor Party is less disciplined but possibly more democratic, with more open disagreements between the leadership and other party members party of social justice

The Liberal Party Social Democratic Party Liberal Democrats. To ensure equitable representation four permanent Boundary Commissions (for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) make periodic reviews to adjust electoral boundaries and redistribute seats

The House of Commons The dynamic power of Parliament lies in the House of Commons. The shape of the Commons debating chamber makes an important comment on the political process in Britain. MPs are paid salaries, approximately twice the average national wage, but substantially less than most MPs could earn outside the Commons

The members of the House of Commons represent constituencies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Many MPs find themselves in other rooms of the Commons, participating in variety of committees and meetings necessary for an effective parliamentary process.

The House of Lords The upper chamber of Parliament, the House of Lords, is not democratic in any sense at all. Members: 4 categories of peers - the majority are heredity of peers, - the smaller number are ‘life’ peers (certain people rendered political or public service to the nation)

The House is presided over by the Lord Chancellor, the senior law officer of the state (responsible for the administration of justice and an automatic member of the Cabinet). Peers, of whatever party loyalty, are far freer to vote according to their own convictions rather than party policy than are members of the Commons.

Parliamentary Committees The Commons and the Lords should form committees to consider specific matters or bills passing through Parliament. The commons have a number of ‘standing committees’ which examine bills during the procedural stages until they become law.

Political hierarchy The Crown The House The The House of Lords Government Commons The People