UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMONWEALTH.ppt

United Kingdom Government and the CommonwealthWhat kind of government does the UK have?• Parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy – The monarch is central figure in the UK. However, the monarchy is symbolic and has no political power. – The Parliament has all the political power and runs the country. Queen Elizabeth II• Fulfills ceremonial and formal duties in the government • Must remain strictly neutral on political matters. • Has been Queen since 1952 (59 years)Windsor Castle• The Queen lives and works in Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace • She meets with the Prime Minister once a week • The Queen spends her summers at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, ScotlandWhat is a democracy?• The term comes from the Greek word “democratia” meaning “rule of the people” • Generally it means: – A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections – The participation of citizens in politics and civic lifeParliamentary Democracy• The UK is called a “Parliamentary democracy” because the lawmakers in the Parliament are elected by the citizens of the UK.Photo of House of Commons from www.parliament.ukThree Branches of GovernmentPrime Minister David Cameron• Most powerful political leader in the UK• Leader of the Executive Branch of Government• Leader of the majority party in Parliament • Elected in May 201010 Downing Street• The Prime Minister lives and works at 10 Downing Street • Known in the UK as “Number 10” • This is one of the most famous addresses in the Western worldParliament – the Legislative Branch• House of Commons – “The Lower House” – All Members of Parliament or “MPs” are democratically elected – Makes all the laws and is the center of parliamentary power – Consists of 650 MPs• House of Lords – “The Upper House” – Historically made up of leaders of the Church of England and important land owners (not democratic) – Being reformed – Right now, the House of Lords has very little powerPalace of Westminster• Parliament meets here • Notice the River Thames • The Palace has been reconstructed. It was destroyed by fire and hit 14 times by German bombs in WWII.Functions of the House of Commons1. Makes the laws of the UK 2. Scrutinizes the Prime Minister and his/her cabinet. The House of Commons can pass a Motion of No Confidence which forces the Prime Minster and the Cabinet to resign immediately. 3. Influences policy through debates and questionsElections• Each of the 650 MPs represent a constituency or area of the United Kingdom. They are elected by the citizens in their constituency.• Elections occur every five yearsThe Prime Minister and Cabinet – the Executive Branch• The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in Parliament. He or she is not elected. • The Political Party that has the most representatives in the House of Commons chooses the Prime Minister. • The Prime Minister selects Cabinet members to help run the Executive Branch.Functions of the PM and Cabinet• The Prime Minister appoints Cabinet members from his/her party to be in charge of government departments • The Cabinet is the supreme decision-making body in the British government and meets weekly. • If the House of Commons passes a vote of No Confidence, the PM and every Cabinet member resigns. How are government officials chosen?• How are MPs in the House of Commons chosen?• How is the Prime Minister chosen?• How are the Cabinet members chosen?Election of Parliament “majority” and “minority”• Red – Conservative Party• Black – Labour PartyThe Courts – the Judicial BranchThe United Kingdom Supreme CourtInterprets the Law• The UK judicial system is being reformed. As of 2009, the United Kingdom Supreme Court was opened as the highest court in the country. • In the past, the House of Lords had this position.British Law consists of two parts• Criminal Law – Related to crimes such as theft and murder – People accused of a crime are assumed to be innocent until they are found guilty after a trial – Juries (panels of citizens) decide whether the person is innocent or guilty• Civil Law – Related to family, property, contracts and torts (p. 36)– Most penalties relate to a payment of a fine– Judges decide the outcome of the case Two Primary Political Parties• Conservative Party – Generally made up of people who have something to “conserve” like land and money– Usually landowners and businessmen from the middle and upper classes• Labour Party – Created by trade union or workers’ interests– Believes government should tax the wealthy and use the money to provide support to the poorCommonwealth of Nations• Former British colonies have formed a volunteer organization for purposes of supporting trade and democracy.• Fifty-four independent member states (all but two used to part of the British Empire)Famous Prime Ministers• Winston Churchill – Conservative Party – Famous for his leadersh。