outline

Political
life
The Monarchy British
The
Government Political
System
The Parliament

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Political life
Public attitude to politics

Are
However unknown

1st rule in politics

NEVER BELIEVE ANYTHING
UNTIL IT’S BEEN OFFICIALLY DENIED
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 Style of democracy
 Have high respect for the law
• Little systematic law breaking by large number
• Not evading taxation
 Comparatively unenthusiastic about
making new laws
• Best to do without them
• Few rules and regulations in many aspects (for
Government and individuals)
 Relationship between Individual and the State
Both should leave each other alone
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 Style of democracy
Individual Government

Not breaking the law Having less participation by

and paying taxes ordinary citizens in governing
Not having to vote at and law making
elections  No concept of “By the people”
Not having to register Not having to ask the people for
their change of address a change in law
when moving houses

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Style of democracy

People choose who is to

govern the country and let
them get on with it

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The party system

A two – party system

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 The party system
The parties choose candidates in elections
(independent candidates are rarely elected)

The party that wins the The largest minority

majority of seat forms party = opposition
the Gov. and its leaders (criticize the party
(= MPs) running the country )

Without agreement between the political parties,

the British parliamentary system would break down
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 outline
Political
life 1. The appearance
The Monarchy 2. The reality
The 3. The role of the
Government
monarch
The Parliament
4. The value of the
Elections
monarch
5. The future of the
monarch
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 The appearance
In written law, the Queen has absolute power to:
 Choose the Prime Minister
 Dismiss ministers and governments
 Dissolve Parliament
 Refuse to agree to legislation
passed by Parliament
 Dismiss the governments of
other countries of which she is
monarch
 Embody the law in the courts
 Can do nothing that is legally wrong

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 The reality

In reality: Different Can’t stop the Gov.

going ahead with
 Can’t choose anyone she likes to be P.M
any of its politics
 P.M decides the other government ministers
 P.M requests a dissolution of Gov.
 The
When sheRoyal
opensassent to a bill
Parliament eachpassed
year, by
the speech she makes
Parliament has been written
is automatic
for her
• she makes no secret of the fact
• She reads word for word
The might
• She Queen ask
has almost no minister
the Gov. power at to
all
change the wording
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 The Role of the monarch
People can be as critical as they like about the real Gov
without being accused of being unpatriotic

The Monarch Symbol of

can refuse the government
royal assent The real G
for a bill to has more time
become law to get on with
A final Ceremonial
and the duties the actual job
check on a
request of of running
Gov
a dissolution the country
of Parliament
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 outline
Political 1. The Government
life
Structure
The Monarchy
2. Collective
The
Government Responsibility
The Parliament 3. The cabinet
4. The Prime Minister
Elections
5. The civil service
6. Central and local 12
 Government structure
• The Government includes:
– The Prime Minister: most powerful
– 20 MPs:
• Heads of the Gov. Departments (Minister of...)
• Belong to the same political party
• Appointed by the monarch (on the advice of the PM) but
are accountable to Parliament
• Take on various responsibilities of managing Parliament
but have COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

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 Collective responsibility

All share the responsibilities for every

policy made by Government

No member of
the Gov. can
Having different
criticize Gov.
opinions, they must
policy in public or
keep these private
must resign to do so
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 The Prime Minister
the leader of his party
in the House of Commons

 Has a great deal of power in reality

– Appoints the cabinet and change his cabinet
– Makes final decisions on major issues
– Decides the agenda for cabinet meetings which he
also chairs
– Dissolve Parliament
 Has the power of public image
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 Central and local government

Local Government has similar system of

national Government
– Elected representatives = councilors ≈ MPs
– Meet in council chamber in the Town Hall or
County Hall ≈ Parliament
– Make policy implemented by local Government
officers ≈ Civil Servants

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 Central and local government

 Local Government authorities (= councils)

only have powers given by the Central
Government
 Most people have far more direct dealings
with local Gov.
– Manage nearly all public services
– Employ 3 times as many people

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 outline
Political 1. The House of Lords
life
The Monarchy 2. House of Commons
The 3. The Atmosphere of
Government
Parliament
The Parliament
4. The Stages of
legislation
Elections
5. Parliamentary
business 18
 Parliament
Like parliament in other
Activities
western democracies:
– Make new laws
– Give authority for the Government to raise and spend
money
- Committee– rooms
Keep a close eye on Government activities and
- Restaurantsdiscuss these activities
- Bars
- Libraries Place of Palace of
- Some places of residence
working offices Westminster
- 2 larger rooms:
- House of Lords
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- House of Commons
House of lords

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 House of lords
• The upper chamber
• No fixed number of members, now 780
– Historically most members = hereditary peers
undemocratic Labour Government abolished the
right of all Now 92
– Almost all = life peers = no fixed number but the
current one is 629 (senior politicians + distinguished
figures)
– The rest = 26 Archbishops and Bishops of the Church
of England.
• Its main job is to 'double check' new laws, but not
on Money Bills
• Is a forum for public discussion
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 House of commons

• The lower chamber

• Chaired by the Speaker
• Currently 650 seats, each seat Sits most
days of the week for about half of the
weeks of the year

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 House of commons
Design and layout
US House of British House
Representatives of Commons

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