The UK Government and Politics.ppt

The UK Government and Politics System of government Constitutional monarchy 君主立宪制 The parliamentary democracy 议会民主制 Three-tiered government: central government county government district government Monarch(君主): king or queen Parliament: Parliamentary Government the Cabinet(内阁): Cabinet Government The Monarch 1. Official Titles Queen Elizabeth II “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her Other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of Faith” 2. Roles of the Queen Her present role Symbolic (belongs to everyone) Chief of state (head of the executive) Her popular role Representing the country at home and abroad Example of good citizenship and family life Her underlying role A confidante of the Prime Minister Official Residence: Windsor castle Buckingham Palace Ceremony Place Parliament Functions of Parliament Passing laws Voting for taxation Scrutinizing government policy and administration Debating upon major issues The House of Lords the Lords Spiritual (神职人员) the Lords Temporal (世俗贵族) They represent the interests of? them- selves rather than those? of common citizens. Functions of the House of Lords Review legislation Propose amendments (修正案) Veto bills according to conventions and operations of the Parliament Acts. The House of Commons 651 members of parliament (MPs) England: 524 Scotland: 72 Wales: 38 Northern Ireland: 17 The General Election (GE) must be held every 5 years. Prime Minister, Cabinet and Ministers Prime Minister is always appointed by the King / Queen. Usually, he is the leader of the party which wins the most seats of the House of Commons in the General Election. Ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Monarch. The most Senior Minister (around 20) compose the Cabinet. The Cabinet carries out the