UK GovernmentThe Monarchy

• No real power

• Technically “names” new prime minister

• Opens each session of Parliament with “Queen’s Speech.”– Written by majority party.

Parliament

• Parliamentary Sovereignty– Parliament’s decisions are final.

• Parliamentary System– Head of Government chosen by legislature

• Fusion of Power– Authority concentrated in one body.– No “separation of powers” b/n executive and

legislative

Parliament

House of Commons

• “Lower House”• Holds supreme power– Since 1911

• 650 Members of Parliament (MPs)

• Prime Minister

House of Lords

• “Upper House”• Very little power– Can only delay

legislation

• Currently 825 members of House of Lords.

• Lord Speaker

House of Lords• Pre-1999– Most Lords were hereditary peers.

• Post-1999– Most Lords are life peers (Approx. 700 of 825).

• Appointed to nonhereditary positions by queen on advice from Prime Minister.

– About 25 Anglican Bishops are Lords.

Prime Minister

• MP from majority party, or coalition party.

• Traditionally, a more senior member of the party.

• Head of executive branch.

• Residence: 10 Downing Street

Prime Minister & Cabinet“First Among Equals”

• Chooses cabinet members

• Cabinet members: usually senior party members– Not necessarily experts

in their field

Partial List of Cabinet• Prime Minister• Deputy Prime Minister• Chancellor of Exchequer• Home Secretary• Defense Secretary• Justice Secretary• Health Secretary• Education Secretary• Business Secretary• Work and Pensions

Secretary

Prime Minister & Cabinet“First Among Equals”

• Prime Minister makes policy decisions in cabinet, with agreement of ministers.

• Collective Responsibility:– Cabinet, leaders of party, do not dissent from

Prime Minister in public.• “Cabinet Government”– Power of Cabinet in shaping/controlling policy

Question Time

• Debate occurs once a week• Prime Minister and Cabinet must defend their

policies.• One of the few opportunities for opposition to

“check” the majority.

Key Components of House of Commons

• Speaker of the House– Chief Officer– Keeps order during

debates– Remains impartial

– Renounces party affiliation

– Doesn’t vote

• Prime Minister and Cabinet– Sit to the right of the

Speaker

• Leader of Opposition and “Shadow Cabinet”– Appointed by head of

opposition– Monitor and criticize the

actions of their equivalents in govt.

Width of center aisle=distance of two drawn swords

Backbenchers

• Rank-and-file Members of Parliament (MP) who are not part of the Cabinet or Shadow Cabinet.

Serjeant at Arms with Mace

• Symbolizes authority of the House of Commons.

The Bar of the House

• Only MPs are allowed beyond the Bar.