The UK System of Government Flashcards
Be able to answer questions about the UK system of government
Two names for the UK governmental system
constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy
Head of the state
The head of the state is a king or queen (presently Queen Elizabeth II) who accepts the advice of a parliament of elected representatives of the people.
Head of the government
The head of the government is the prime minister (presently Boris Johnson).
Separation of powers: 3 parts
the executive (The HM Government), the legislative (The Houses of Parliament) and the judicary (The Court of Justice).
The UK constitution
No written constitution. Instead, rules, regulations, principles and procedures for running the country. Follows two main ideas: the rule of law and the supremacy of the parliament.
Statute laws
(= Acts of Parliament) – written laws that rules of major importance for the history of the country.
Common laws
unwritten laws of England, based on customs and judges’ decisions of the past (precedents).
Conventions
rules that have developed during country’s existences. They are far more important than acts and laws. (E.g. It is a convention that the UK must have a prime minister and a cabinet).
Most important duties of the monarch
The monarch reigns but does not rule, and is the commander-in-chief of armed forces (= declares war, makes peace, recognizes new states, can take over or give up territory) and the governor of the Church of England.
Other duties of the monarch
summons and dissolves the Parliament agrees to all new legislation (= laws) appoints important office holders (the prime ministers, ministers, judges, officers, governors, diplomats and bishops of the Church of England) grants peerage, knighthoods and other honours can pardon criminals who turn out to be innocent
The Legislature
(= the power to draw and pass laws) is held by the Parliament, consisting of: The Sovereign (=the monarch), The House of Lords (The Upper House) and The House of Commons (The Lower House). Each year, the sovereign summons the Parliament and opens annual sessions – speech from the throne.
The House of Lords
Part of the Legislature. Led by Lord Chancellor and also has Lords Spiritual (2 archbishops and 24 bishops) and Lords Temporal. The number of Lords Temporal can change – there are hereditary peers (92) and life peers (appointed by the monarch based on PM’s preference). Presently: 791 lords.
The House of Commons
Part of the Legislature. 650 MPs (members of parliament) elected in General Election for 5 years to represent a geographical area. It is presided by The Speaker. Positions divided into the Front benchers (leaders of the governing party and the opposition) and the Back benchers (supporters).
The Executive
(= the power to enact laws and run the country) is held by Her Majesty’s Government. The Government consists of the cabinet of ministers, which is formed by the winner of General Election and takes charge for 5 years, and civil servants. The leader of the winning party becomes the prime minister and chooses 25 ministers to work with him/her. The Government is appointed by the Queen. The Opposition forms a Shadow Cabinet.
The government (the executive) cannot…
make new laws, raise new taxes (the Parliament does that).
Queen Elizabeth II
The House of Lords
London
Theresa May
10 Downing Street, the headquarters of the UK government
Margaret Thatcher
Winston Churchill
Boris Johnson
