UK Government, The Law And Your Role Flashcards
How has democracy developed in the UK?
The UK is a parliamentary democracy with the monarch as head of state.
Democracy is a system of government where the whole adult population gets a say through direct voting or by choosing representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
At the turn of the 19th century, Britain was not a democracy as we know it today. Although there were elections to select members of Parliament (MPs), only a small group of people could vote - men over 21 years of age and who owned a certain amount of property.
In the 1830/40s the Chartists campaigned for reform:
1. Every man to have the vote
2. Elections every year
3. All regions to be equal in the electoral system
4. Secret ballots
5. Any man to be able to stand as an MP
6. MPs to be paid
At the time, the campaign was generally seen as a failure but by 1918, most of these reforms had been adopted. The voting franchise was extended to women over 30 and then in 1928 to men and women over 21. In 1969, the voting age was reduced to 18 for both men and women.
What is a constitution and how is the UK’s constitution different from those of most other countries?
A constitution is a set of principles by which a country is governed. it includes all of the institutions that are responsible for running the country and how their power is kept in check. The constitution also includes laws and conventions. The British constitution is not written down in any single document, and there it is described as ‘unwritten’. This is mainly because the UK has never had a revolution which led permanently to a totally new system of government. Our most important institutions have developed over hundreds of years. Some people believes that there should be a single document, but others believe an unwritten constitution allows for more flexibility and better government.
What is the role of the monarch?
Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state of the UK. She is also the monarch or head of state for many countries in the Commonwealth. The UK has a constitutional monarchy - she does not rule the country but appoints the government, which the people have chosen in a democratic election. The monarch invites the leader of the party with the largest number of MPs, or the leader of a coalition between more than one party, to become the Prime Minister. The monarch has regular meetings with the Prime Minister and can advise, warn and encourage, but the decisions on government policies are made by the Prime Minister and cabinet.
The Queen has important ceremonial roles, such as the opening of the new parliamentary session each year. On this occasion the Queen makes a speech which summarises the governments policies for the year ahead. All Acts of Parliament are made in her name.
The Queen represents the UK to the rest of the world. She receives foreign embassy doors and high commissioners, entertains visiting heads of state, and makes state visits overseas in support of diplomatic and economic relationships with other countries.
The Queen has an important role in providing stability and continuity. While governments and Prime Ministers change regularly, the Queen continues as head of state. She provides a focus for national identity and pride, which was demonstrated through the celebrations of her Diamond Jubilee (60 years as Queen).
What is the role of the House of Commons and the House of Lords?
The House of Commons members are democratically elected, therefore considered as more important. The Prime Minister and almost all the members of the cabinet are members of the House of Commons (MPs). Each MP represents a parliamentary constituency which is a small area of the country.
MPs responsibilities:
- represent everyone in their constituency
- help to create new laws
- scrutinise and comment on what the government is doing
- debate important national issues.
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Members of the House of Lords, known as peers, are not elected by people and do not represent a constituency. The role and membership of the House of Lords has changed over the last 50 years.
Until 1958, all peers were:
- hereditary
- senior judges or bishops of the Church of England.
Since 1958, the Prime Minister has had the power to nominate peers just for their own lifetime. These are called life peers. They have usually had an important career in politics, business, law or another profession. Life peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. They also include people nominated by the leaders of the other main political parties or by an independent Appointments Commission for non-party peers.
Since 1999, hereditary peers have lost the automatic right to attend the House of Lords. They now elect a few of their number to represent them in the House of Lords.
The House of Lords in normally more independent of the government that the House of Commons. It can suggest amendments or propose new laws, which are then discussed by the MPs. The House of Lords checks laws that have been passed by the House of Commons to ensure they are fit for purpose. It also holds the government to account to make sure that it is working in the best interests of the people. There are peers who are specialists in particular areas, and their knowledge is useful in making and checking laws. The House of Commons has powers to overrule the House of Lords, but these are not used often.
What does the Speaker do?
Debates in the House of Commons are chaired by the Speaker. This person is the chief officer of the House of Commons. The Speaker is neutral and does not represent a political party, even though he or she is an MP, represents a constituency and deals with constituents problems like any other MP. The Speaker is chosen by other MPs in a secret ballot.
The Speaker keeps order during political debates to make sure the rules are followed. This includes making sure that the opposition has a guaranteed amount of time to debate issues which it chooses. The Speaker also represents Parliament in ceremonial occasions.
How does the UK elect MPs and MEPs?
MPs are elected at a General Election, held at least every five years.
If an MP dies or resigns, there will be a fresh election, called a by-election, in his or her constituency.
MPs are elected through a system called ‘first past the post’. In each constituency, the candidate who gets the most votes is elected. The government is usually formed by the party that wins the majority of constituencies. If no party wins a majority, two parties may join together to form a coalition.
Elections for the European Parliament are also held every 5 years. Election of MEPs use a system of proportional representation, where seats are allocated to each party in proportion to the total number of votes it has won.
What are the roles of the Prime Minister, cabinet, opposition and shadow cabinet?
The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party in power. He/She appoints the cabinet and has control over many public appointments. The Prime Minister can be changed if the MPs in the governing party decides to do so, or if he/she wishes to resign. The Prime Minister usually resigns if his/her party loses a General Election.
The Prime Minister appoints about 20 senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments:
- Chancellor of the Exchequer - responsible for the economy;
- Home Secretary - responsible for crime, policing, immigration;
- Foreign Secretary - responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries;
- other ministers called Secretaries of State responsible for subjects such as education, health, defence.
These ministers form the cabinet, a committee which meets once a week and makes important decisions about government policy. Many of these decisions have to be debated or approved by Parliament. Each department also has a number of other ministers, called Ministers of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State, who take charge of particular areas of the department’s work.
The second-largest party in the House of Commons is called the opposition. The leader of the opposition usually becomes Prime Minister if his/her party wins the next General Election. The leader of the opposition leads his or her party in pointing out what they see as the government’s failures and weaknesses. One important opportunity to do this is at Prime Minister’s Questions, which takes place every week while Parliament is sitting. The leader of the opposition also appoints senior opposition MPs to be ‘shadow ministers’. They form the shadow cabinet and their role is to challenge the government and put forward alternative policies.
What are the roles of political parties in the UK system of government?
There are a few MPs who do not represent any of the main political parties. They are called ‘independents’ and usually represent an issue important to their constituency.
The main political parties actively look for members of the public to join their debates, contribute their costs, and help at elections for Parliament or for local government. They have branches in most constituencies and hold policy-making conferences every year.
Who are the main political parties?
Anyone over the age of 18 can stand for election as an MP but they are unlikely to win unless they have been nominated to represent one of the major political parties: Conservative Party, Labour Party, the Liberal Democrat’s or one of the parties representing Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish interests.
What do pressure and lobby groups do?
Pressure and lobby groups are organisations which try to influence government policy. Some are representative organisations such as the CBI (Confederation of British Industry), which represents views of British business. Others campaign on particular topics, such as the environment (Greenpeace) or human rights (Liberty).
What is the role of the civil service?
Civil servants support the government in developing and implementing its policies. They also deliver public services. Civil servants are accountable to ministers - they are chosen on merit and are politically neutral - they are not political appointees. Civil servants are expected to carry out their role with dedication and a commitment to the civil service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality (including being politically neutral).
What is the role of local government?
Town, cities, and rural areas in the UK are governed by democratically elected councils, often called local authorities. Some areas have both district and county councils, which have different functions. Most large towns and cities have a single local authority.
Local authorities provide a range of services in their areas. They are funded by money from central government and by local taxes.
Many local authorities appoint a mayor, who is the ceremonial leader of the administration.
London has 33 local authorities, with the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London coordinating policies across the capital. For most local authorities, local elections for councillors are held in May every year. Many candidates stand for council election as members of a political party.
What are the powers of the devolved governments in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland?
Since 1997, some powers have been devolved from the central government to give people in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland more control over matters that directly affect them. There has been a Welsh Assembly and a Scottish Parliament since 1999. There is also a Northern Ireland Assembly, although this had been suspended several times.
Policy and laws governing defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security all remain under central UK government control. However, many other public services such as education, are controlled by the devolved administrations.
The devolved administrations each have their own civil service.
The Welsh government and National Assembly for Wales:
- Cardiff;
- 60 Assembly members;
- elections every four years, proportional representation;
- power to make laws for Wales (without agreement of the UK Parliament since 2011) in 20 areas including:
- education and training;
- health and social services;
- economic development;
- housing.
The Scottish Parliament:
- formed in 1999;
- Edinburgh;
- 129 members, elected by a form of proportional representation;
- can pass laws for Scotland on matters which are not reserved for the UK government:
- civil and criminal law;
- health;
- education;
- planning;
- additional tax-raising powers.
The Northern Ireland Assembly:
- A Northern Ireland Parliament established 1922; abolished in 1972 after the Troubles started in 1969.
- The Northern Ireland Assembly established soon after the Belfast Agreement in 1998 - running successfully since 2007;
- power sharing agreement which distributes ministerial offices amongst the main parties;
- 108 elected MLAs (members of the Legislative Assembly); elected with a form of proportional representation;
- can make decision on:
- education;
- agriculture;
- the environment;
- health;
- social services.
The UK government has the power to suspend all devolved assemblies. It has used this power several times in Northern Ireland when political leaders ground it difficult to work together.
How are proceedings in Parliament recorded?
Proceedings in Parliament are broadcast on television and published in official reports called Hansard. Written reports can be found in large libraries and at www.parliament.uk.
What is the role of the media in keeping people informed about political issues?
Most people get information about political issues and events from newspapers, television, radio and the internet.
The UK has a free press - free from government control. Some newspaper owners and editors hold strong political opinions and run campaigns to try and influence government policy and public opinion.
By law, radio and television coverage of the political parties must be balanced and so equal time has to be given to rival viewpoints.
Who is eligible to vote?
The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928. The present voting age of 18 was set in 1969, and with a few exceptions, all UK-born and naturalised adult citizens have the right to vote.
Adult citizens of the UK, and citizens of the Commonwealth and the Irish Republic who are resident in the UK, can vote in all public elections. Adult citizens of other EU states who are resident in the UK can vote in all elections except General Elections.
How do you register to vote?
To be able to vote in a parliamentary, local or European election, you must have your name on the electoral register.
If you are eligible to vote, you register by contacting your local council electoral registration office, based at your local council. Https://ww.aboutmyvote.co.uk
The electoral register is updated every year in September or October. An electoral registration form is sent to every household and this has to be completed and returned with the names of everyone who is resident in the household and eligible to vote.
In Northern Ireland, the system is called individual registration, and all those eligible to vote must complete their own registration form. Once registered, people stay on the register provided their personal details do not change.
By laws each local authority has to make its electoral register available for anyone to look at, although this has to be supervised. The register is kept at each local electoral registration office or council office. It is also possible to see the register at some public buildings such as libraries.
How do you vote?
People vote in elections at polling stations or polling places. Before the election you are sent a poll card telling you where your polling station is and when the election takes place. On Election Day, the polling station is open from 7am-10pm.
It is possible to register for a postal ballot - you can choose to do this when you register to vote.
