r04 British system of government
| Autor: David Vyhlídal | Škola: G Opatov |
| Strany: 1 A4 | Obrázky: ne |
| Dokument stažen: 1601x | Náhled zobrazen: 1895x |
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| Textový náhled: THE OVERALL REVIEW: The British system of government is the oldest parliamentary democracy in Europe. British parliament was formed in the eleventh century and, after the signing of the Magna Charta by King John in the year 1215, it came to power and became the main part in the system of government. In this way, England set up the base of democracy in the whole Europe. THE MONARCHY: Britain is a constitutional monarchy. It means that the official head of state is the monarch (king or queen – Mary II. and William III. became the first monarchs), but his or her powers are limited by the constitution. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. In practice she reigns, but does not rule. The country is governed, in her name, by the Government. Queen Elizabeth II. was born on 21st April 1926 (her birthday is officially celebrated in June). She married Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh and acceded to the throne on 6th February 1953. Her official title is: "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.". The royal family lives in Buckingham Palace. THE CONSTITUTION: The Constitution of United Kingdom, unlike that of most of other countries, is not written in any single document. It is formed partly by statute, partly by common law and partly by convention. It can be altered by an Act of Parliament, or by general agreement to change convention. THE PARLIAMENT (LEGISLATIVE POWER): Parliament (at Westminster – London) is the most important authority in Britain and the supreme law-making body in the country. It consists of the Sovereign, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Lords is made up of hereditary and life peers and peeresses (Lords Temporal), including the law lords appointed to undertake the judicial duties of the House, 2 archbishops and 24 bishops of the Church of England (Lords Spiritual). The House is presided over by the Lord Chancellor. Its main function is to bring the wide experience of its members into the process of law making. The House of Commons is elected by universal adult suffrage and consists of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs). POLITICAL PARTIES: A two-party system has existed in the United Kingdom since the late 17th century, though it is occasionally threatened by a third party. The Conservative Party (right wing - mainly represents the wealthy and middle classes) and the Labour Party (left wing – is the party of the working classes and is supported by Trade Unions) are the dominant parties of the modern era. In the early 20th century, Labour displaced the Social Democrat Liberal Alliance = Liberals (the middle – many intellectuals are members of this party) as one of the two dominant parties. THE GOVERNMENT (EXECUTEVE POWER): Parliamentary elections are held every five years or less. The leader of the majority party (in 1997 won the Labour Party headed by Tony Blair) in Parliament becomes Prime minister (lives at No. 10, Downing Street) and he or she chooses the MPs, who will run the different departments of government – ministers. The Prime minister and the most important ministers make up the Cabinet (about 20 people), which is the real government of the country. The second largest party form the official Opposition with its own leader and "shadow cabinet". At present it is the Conservative Party headed by John Major. The third party represented in the Parliament is the Liberals. JUDICIAL POWER The independent judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court of Judicature, which is composed of the Court of Appeal, the High Court of Justice. Scotland has a distinct legal system based on Roman law. There is no right of judicial review of legislation. British system of government | |