Chapter 3 Government and the Commonwealth 英国文化的选修课 .pptVIP

Guide to English-Speaking Countries;Chapter 3 Government and the Commonwealth ; Political Parties;;Constitution; ;2.The development of the Constitution;;;;2.1 The Legislature;2.1.1 Parliament ;Queen Elizabeth II Born: April 21, 1926 Queen since June 2, 1953 Queen Elizabeth II is a “constitutional monarch” Official title: ‘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 the Faith’ Although she is officially the head of state, the country is actually run by the government and led by the Prime Minister. ;Buckingham Palace ;Queen Elizabeth II;;; She reigns but does not rule! Theoretically, she is the source of all government powers: an integral part of the legislature head of the executive, executive and judiciary branches the commander-in-chief of all armed forces of the Crown “supreme governor” of the Church of England More ;In reality, her role is “ceremonial, unpolitical and symbolic”: State opening of the Parliament Royal assent to new law Meeting with the Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace Pay state visits to Commonwealth countries as head of state and non-Commonwealth countries on behalf of the British government;From Buckingham to Westminster ;Westminster;2.1.3 The House of Lords ;2.1.3 The House of Lords ;The Upper House Reforms Reduce the number of seats from 705 to 666 (Mar. 1, 2004) Final court of appeal—Supreme Court ;2.1.4 The House of Commons ;646 Members of Parliament, known as “MPs” for short, who represent the 646 geographical areas / constituencies ;2.1.4 The House of Commons ;;;;The Cabinet works on the principle of collective responsibility and individual ministerial responsibility Ministers responsible for their particular department (most senior members are the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary) C