Политическая система в Великобритании

Political System of Great Britain

Pre-reading.

What kind of state is the UK?

Who is the head of the state in the UK?

What are the Houses of the British Parliament?

1. Read the text and check your answers.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy. It means that the sovereign reigns but does not rule.

Britain does not have a written constitution, but a set of laws.

Parliament is the most important authority in Britain. Technically Parliament is made up of three parts: the Monarch, the House of Lords; and the House of Commons. In reality the House of Commons is the only one of the three which has true power.

The monarch serves formally as head of state. But the monarch is expected to be politically neutral and should not make political decisions.

The present sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II. She was crowned in Westminster Abbey in 1953.

The House of Commons consists of Members of Parliament. There are 650 of them in the House of Commons. They are elected by secret ballot. General elections are held every five years. The country is divided into 650 constituencies. All citizens aged 18 and registered in a constituency, have the right to vote. But voting is not compulsory in Britain. Only persons convicted of corrupt and certain mentally ill patients don't take part in voting.

There are few political parties in Britain thanks to the British electoral system. The main ones are: the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal / Social Democratic Alliance.

Each political party puts up one candidate for each constituency. The one who wins the most votes is elected MP for that area.

The party which wins the most seats in Parliament forms the Government. Its leader becomes the Prime Minister. His first job is to choose his Cabinet. The Prime Minister usually takes policy decisions with the agreement of the Cabinet.

The functions of the House of Commons are legislation and scrutiny of government activities. The House of Commons is presided over by the Speaker. The Speaker is appointed by the Government.

The House of Lords comprises about 1,200 peers. It is presided by the Lord Chancellor. The House of Lords has no real power. It acts rather as an advisory council.

It's in the House of Commons that new bills are introduced and debated. If the majority of the members are in favour of a bill, it goes to the House of Lords to be debated. The House of Lords has the right to reject a new bill twice.

But after two rejections they are obliged to accept it. And finally a bill goes to the monarch to be signed. Only then it becomes law.

Parliament is responsible for British national policy. Local governments are responsible for organizing of education, police and many others.

1. Read the text again and fill in the gaps.

In the UK there is no president, the Queen is … of the … .

There are two Houses in the Parliament: … and … .

People who sit in the … Commons are called … .

People who sit in the … Lords are called … .

British people … for MPs at a general … .

The party which wins a general … forms the … and their leader becomes … .

After the Queen approves the bill, it becomes … .

1. Decide if the sentences are true, false or not stated.

1. British Constitution is one of the oldest in the world.

1. True 2) False 3) Not stated

1. The House of Commons has the real power in the country

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

3. The Monarch was responsible for political decisions till the 20-th century.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

4. The present Monarch was crowned in Buckingham Palace.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

5. Members of the House of Commons are elected every five years.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

6. Citizens have the right to vote at the age of 18.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

7. The Conservative Party has the majority in the Parliament.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

8. The Prime Minister is the leader of the party which wins the most seats in Parliament.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

9. The Speaker is chosen by the Members of Parliament.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

10. The House of Lords acts as an advisory council.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

11. A bill becomes law after it is accepted in the House of Lords.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

1. “The political numbers” Find this numbers in the text and answer the questions

• What period are the Members of the House of Commons elected for?

• When did Elizabeth II come to the throne?

• How many constituencies is the country divided into?

• How many members are there in the House of Lords?

1. Speaking. Speak about the political system of the UK using the cluster. Compare the British and Russian political systems. Who has more power the Queen of Great Britain or the President of the Russian Federation?