1st year lecture 2 british institutions final
TRANSCRIPT
BRITISH INSTITUTIONS
Politics of the United Kingdom
A constitutional monarchy Monarch is head of state Prime Minister is head of government. Executive power is carried out by HM's Government,
on behalf of and by consent of Monarch
• The Legislative Power: makes the law (ie. Debates, votes and passes new laws)
• The Judicial Power: interprets the law (ie. Decides what punishment should be given for those that break the law)
• The Executive Power: implements and enforces the law (ie. Makes sure that the decisions of the legislature are carried out)
The division of powers
The division of powers
• The Legislative Power : Parliament (House of Commons, House of Lords, the Monarch)
• The Executive : the government (the party or coalition with a majority in the Commons)
• The Judiciary : the judges and especially the Supreme Court
Monarch
(Representative
Function)
Supreme Court
(since 2009)House of
Lords
House of
Commons
Government
Prime
Minister
Nation
(electorate)
Partiament
elects
elects
can
dissolve
appoints aristocratscan dissolve appoints
appoints justices
Legistative
Executive
Judiciary
Separation of powers
appoints
Parliamentary monarchy in the United Kingdom
The Queen
Her picture appears on postage stamps, but her personal mail is franked.
What the Queen Can Do
She can drive as
fast as she likes
in a car which
needs no license
number.
What the Queen Can Do
She can confer Britain’s highest civilian decoration, the Order of Merit—one honour in which the Sovereign retains freedom of choice.
What the Queen Can’t Do
Her Majesty cannot vote.
Nor can she express her political
opinion in public.
She cannot sit in the House of
Commons (building royal property).
She cannot write her own speech.
She cannot refuse to sign a bill, and
she cannot appear as a witness in
court.
The Queen’s role
Constitutional Arbitration – In times of
Crisis
Stability –1,000 years of Sovereignty
Continuity –helps to bridge the discontinuities
of party politics
Experience –reading state papers, meeting
heads of state and ambassadors, and weekly
audiences with Prime Ministers
Uniting the Nation with the State –combination of the role as Head of State and Head
of the Nation.
The Queen’s role (2)
Unity: Party politics = disagreement and
confrontation. (rich vs poor, north vs south,
management vs unions, Catholic vs Protestant…)
Moral Leadership & Model Behaviour
Custodianship of the Past – Through its
ceremony, pageantry and ritual, the monarchy
preserves the link with Britain’s history
Coronation ceremony
QUEEN’s DIAMOND JUBILEE
1952- 2012
The British Constitution
A constitution is a set of laws on how a
country is governed.
The British Constitution is unwritten
It is referred to as an uncodified
constitution.
Amendments to constitution are made
by a majority support in both Houses of
Parliament to be followed by the Royal
Assent.
Sources of the Constitution:
Statutes such as the Magna Carta of
1215 and the Act of Settlement of
1701.
Laws and Customs of Parliament;
Political conventions
Decisions in a court of law
Constitutional experts who have
written on the subject such as Walter
Bagehot and A.V Dicey.
Principles of the Constitution
Two basic principles govern the
Constitution:
The Rule of Law
The Supremacy of Parliament
For or Against
Pros: Flexibility and change
Cons: no public access– Only
constitutional experts know where to
look and how to interpret it.
chambers
The House of Lords
Parliament's second chamber.
Role: 'double check' new laws.
About 800 members. Not elected.
No power to stop a new law but can
delay it (veto lost in 1911)
Bills must go through both Houses
before becoming 'Acts' (laws).
House of Commons
The most powerful of the two houses.
659 elected members.
Members are called MPs.
The Commons is the most important
place for discussing policies and
making laws.
There are only 427 green leather seats
so when it's full a lot of politicians
have to stand!
House of commons
ON A PASSAGE OF A BILL
PASSAGE OF A BILL
House of Commons
House of Lords
House of Lords
House of Lords
3RC21
1 2 C R 31 2 C R 3
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Royal AssentBill starting in the
House of Lords
Bill starting in the
House of
CommonsRoyal AssentA
A
Britain
And politics
Two-party system
majority of MPs in the House of
Commons belong to
The Conservative party (the tories), or
The Labour Party
Power has always alternated between
the two major parties.
The Labour Party
traditionally gathers its support from
the trade unions, the working class,
the middle-class . Its electorates have
always been in south Wales, Scotland,
and the Midland and northern English
industrial cities.
Political Parties
the Conservative Party
the party's support comes mainly from
business interests and the middle and
upper classes
the party's strongholds tend to be in
southern England
Public
vs Private 1783
Individuals should
own and control
businesses and
profits;
The government
should not
interfere.
1900
The government
should provide good
public services such
as schools &
hospitals.
The government
should help close
the gap between
rich and poor
Money
Tax should be low.
Private businesses
will provide services
which will improve
their quality.
Different levels of
tax depending on
earnings.
taxes used to
provide services for
everybody, rich and
poor.
Community
Traditional values
should be
encouraged to build
strong communities
and families.
Strict discipline and
respect will cut
crime and criminals
should be treated
harshly.
Communities need
to be strong by
promoting tolerance
and respect for all.
Everyone should
enjoy their
individual while
aware of their
responsibilities
The
Future
Traditions (monarchy
and House of Lords)
are an essential part
of Britain's history (no
change)
little involvement or
interference from the
European Union. The
UK must stand strong.
Britain has a very
important part to
play in Europe &
should play a
leading role.
Cease arms exports
to countries
accused of violating
humanitarian law.
The end
They are laughing…
Shall I tell them there
will be a quiz next
week?
