British political system By Pham Thi Thanh Thuy B
outline Political life The Monarchy The Government The Parliament Elections British Political System By Pham Thi Thanh Thuy B
outline Political life The Monarchy The Government The Parliament 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The party system The public attitude to politics The style of democracy The constitution The style of politics Elections By Pham Thi Thanh Thuy B
The party system A two – party system
The party system The parties choose candidates in elections (independent candidates are rarely elected) The party that wins the majority of seat forms the Gov. and its leaders (= MPs) The largest minority party = opposition (criticize the party running the country ) Without agreement between the political parties, the British parliamentary system would break down
Public attitude Lack of trustworthiness Do expect them to be dishonest to politics Names of their local MPs However Don’t welcome corruptions Lack of enthusiasm Are unknown Names of important Gov. ministers 1 st rule in politics NEVER BELIEVE ANYTHING UNTIL IT’S BEEN OFFICIALLY DENIED
Style of democracy Have high respect for the law • Little systematic law breaking by large number • Not evading taxation Comparatively unenthusiastic about making new laws • Best to do without them • Few rules and regulations in many aspects (for Government and individuals) Relationship between Individual and the State Both should leave each other alone
Style of democracy Individual Not breaking the law and paying taxes Not being obliged to vote at elections Not having to register their change of address when moving houses Government Having less participation by ordinary citizens in governing and law making No concept of “By the people” Not having to ask the people for a change in law Not having to have a special vote in Par. With a high proportion of MPs in favour
Style of democracy People choose who is to govern the country and let them get on with it
The constitution Is a constitutional monarchy n n governed by a King or Queen accepts the advice of Parliament However No written law: Is also parliamentary democracy - Says anything about who can be the MP Government controlled by Parliament andnwhat his powers are - asserts people’s rights state or President has n Official head of little real power Doesn’t have a “constitution” at all
The style of politics Political life is still influenced by the traditional British respect for privacy and love of secrecy Comparatively informal Important decisions are to be taken at lunch, over dinner, or in chance encounters in the corridors of power MPs have a habit of co-operation among politicians of different parties - Being good friends - Little fighting about how political business is to be conducted fairly
outline Political life The Monarchy The Government The Parliament 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Elections The appearance The reality The role of the monarch The value of the monarch The future of the monarch By Pham Thi Thanh Thuy B
The appearance In written law, the Queen has absolute power to: ü Choose the Prime Minister ü Dismiss ministers and governments ü Dissolve Parliament ü Refuse to agree to legislation passed by Parliament ü Dismiss the governments of other countries of which she is monarch ü Embody the law in the courts ü Can do nothing that is legally wrong
The reality In reality: Different O O Can’t stop the Gov. Can’t choose anyone she likes to be P. M going ahead with any P. M decides the other government ministers of its politics P. M requests a dissolution of Gov. O The Royal assent to a bill passed by When she opensautomatic each year, Parliament is Parliament O the speech she makes has been written for her • she makes no secret of the fact • She reads word for word The Queen has almost Gov. minister to • She might ask the no power at all change the wording
The Role of the monarch People can be as critical as they like about the real Gov without being accused of being unpatriotic The Monarch can refuse the royal assent for a bill to become law and the request of a dissolution of Parliament Personal embodiment of the Gov A final check on a Gov Plays practical role Perform the ceremonial duties the real G has more time to get on with the actual job of running the country
The Value of the monarch Important to the economy Popular with the majority of the British people Make up for the lack of colour and ceremony A source of entertainment
Future of the monarchy o o o Not a political issue The Q= popular Prestige of Royal family has lowered due to various marital problems Future of royal style a little grand, a little less distant Changing Guard at Windsor Castle
outline Political life The Monarchy The Government The Parliament Elections 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The Government Structure Collective Responsibility The cabinet The Prime Minister The civil service Central and local government By Pham Thi Thanh Thuy B
Government structure o The Government includes: n n The Prime Minister: most powerful 20 MPs: o From the House of Common and belong to the same political party o Heads of the Gov. Departments (Minister of. . . ) o Appointed by the monarch (on the advice of the PM) o Take on various responsibilities of managing Parliament but have COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
Collective responsibility All share the responsibilities for every policy made by Government No member of the Gov. can criticize Gov. policy in public or must resign to do so Having different opinions, they must keep these private
The Cabinet o o o Which? Who? Where? When? What? How?
The Cabinet Which? Who? Where? The committee at the centre of the British political system and is the supreme decision-making body in government Leading politicians in om in et ro t the abin governingeparty the C ing Stre In own D
The Cabinet hursday Every T When? What? How? out new b isions a entation ake dec implem T ies, the olicies and polic isting p he various of ex ing of t ent he runn epartm t Gov. D -The PM chairs the meeting -Who says what is secret - Reports are made and circulated to Gov. Depart. -Gov. Depart. summarizes the topic discussed and decisions taken
The Prime Minister the leader of his party in the House of Commons Has a great deal of power in reality n n n Appoints the cabinet and change his cabinet (power of patronage) Makes the final decisions on major issues Decides the agenda for cabinet meetings which he also chairs Has the power of public image
The civil service v v v Helps run the Government day-to day and implement policies Remains though Governments come and go Knows the secrets of previous Gov which the present minister is unaware of Is reputed for absolute impartiality Top civil servants exercise quite a lot of control over their ministers
The civil service v v Unknown to the larger public Is a career § § § get a high salary have absolute job security stand a good chance of being awarded an official honour
The civil service Criticism Its efficiency o From the same narrow section of Solutions society -Ministers appoint experts Have been to athe civil school and then from outside public service - Doesn’t have enough expertise in matters Oxford andon various projects to work Cambridge such as economics or technology n Studied history and classical - Lives in its closed world, cut off from the languages - Ministers have their own n corners of most people in society political advisers working alongside with their civil servants
Central and local government Local Government has similar system of national Government n n n Elected representatives = councilors ≈ MPs Meet in council chamber in the Town Hall or County Hall ≈ Parliament Make policy implemented by local Government officers ≈ Civil Servants
Central and local government v v Local Government authorities (= councils) only have powers given by the Central Government Most people have far more direct There is greater and greater dealings with local Gov. control by Central Government n n n Manage nearly all public services Employ 3 times as many people Fairly free from constant central interference in their day-to-day work
outline Political life 1. The Monarchy 2. The Government The Parliament Elections 3. 4. 5. 6. House of Commons The Atmosphere of Parliament MP’s life Parliamentary business MP’s way of working The House of Lords By Pham Thi Thanh Thuy B
Parliament Activities Like parliament in other western democracies: Make new laws n Give authority for the Government to raise and spend money n Keep a close eye on Government activities - Committee rooms and discuss these activities n - Restaurants - Bars - Libraries Place of - Some places of residence working offices - 2 larger rooms: - House of Lords - House of Commons Palace of Westminster
House of commons Design and layout American Senate British House of Commons
Facing each other Speaker chairs the debate between two rows Government benches • Either Opposition benches For or Against (No opportunity for a reflection of all various shades of political opinions) • Encourage confrontation between Gov and opposition • Reinforce the reality of the British two-party system
House of commons Other features Has no front 2. Has no desks for MPs 3. Is small MPs are encouraged 1. MPs speak in a conversational Creates fairly informal atmosphere don’t tone and normally speak for long to co-operate
The atmosphere of parliament MPs are forbidden to address one another directly or use personal names o o All remarks and questions must go “through the chair” Use “the honourable Member of Winchester” or “my right honourable friend” Take the “heat” out of debate and decrease the possibility that violence may break down
MP’s life o Traditionally, MPs weren’t supposed to be specialist politicians v v o should be ordinary people ideally come from all walks of life MPs weren’t paid until early 20 th v v supposed to do a public service, not making a career only rich people could afford to be MPs have incredibly poor facilities: share with at least more than 2 MPs o v v an office a secretary
However MP’s life Politics in Britain in the last 40 years has become professional v v Most MPs = full-time politicians and do another part-time job (if at all) Spend more time at work than any other professional in the country
A busy life o o o MP’s life Mornings are taken up with committee work, research, preparing So busy that they have little time for speeches and dealing with the • pursuing another career problems of constituents divorce) • for families (higher rate of Afternoons = meetings in the house Weekends are not free: n n Visit their constituencies Listen to the problems of anybody who wants to see them
Parliamentary business Debate on a particular proposal MPs have to vote for or against by walking through one of 2 corridors at the side of the house n n Ayes: agree Noes: disagree
Parliamentary business o o Some committees are appointed to examine particular proposal for laws There also permanent committees whose job is to The committees are becoming investigate the activities part a more and more important of government in of the Commons of the business particular field n n include 40 members have power to call certain people such as civil servants to come and answer their questions
MP’s way of working MPs nearly vote the way that their party tells them to WHIPS do • Each of the 2 major parties has several MPs who perform this role • Those make sure MPs do this by - Informing all MPs in their party how WHIP they should vote - Acting as intermediaries between the (powerful people) backbenchers and the front benches - Keeping the party leadership informed about backbench opinion
House of lords o o o Parliament's second chamber Its main job is to 'double check' new laws There are 675 members Does not have the power to stop a new law that the Commons wants, but it can delay it Is a forum for public discussion
The system o o The electoral system used in Britain doesn’t seem to add up The “first-past- the-post” system Nearly everybody votes for a candidate on the basis of the party (s)he represents, not on the qualities or political opinions of the candidate
Voters o o Voters can choose only one candidate; otherwise, the ballot paper is “spoiled” and not counted Voters ≥ 18 years old and on the electoral register However Nobody is obliged to vote
Time for New Election o o It is the Government which decides when to hold an election An election has to take place at least every five years usually shorter
Comparatively quiet affairs n n The campaign Local newspapers give coverage to the candidates Candidates hold meetings Party supporters stick up posters in their windows Local party workers spend their time canvassing no large rallies or parades like in USA
the campaign Strict regulations on the campaign Limited amount of money have to submit detailed accounts for their expenses for inspection Any attempt to influence voters improperly is outlawed
the real campaign o o Takes place at a national level The parties spend millions of pounds advertising on hoardings and newspapers Emphasis is on the Theynational party personalities don’t buy time on TV= USA but given a numberlocal candidates “party rather than of strictly timed election broadcasts” Each party also holds a daily televised news conference
Process of Election The country is divided into a number of areas of roughly equal population = constituencies Anyone wishing to become an MP must declare himself belonging to one of these constituencies (after depositing £ 500 with the Returning Officer)
Process of election The date of general election (polling day) is fixed - always on Thursday - not a public holiday On polling day, voters go to polling stations and put a cross next to the name of one candidate on a ballot paper
Process of election y After the polls close, the marked ballot papers are taken to a central place in the constituency and counted The Returning officer makes a public announcement for the votes cast for each candidate and declares the winner to be the MP for the constituency
Process of election At the election night, TV start their programmes By midnight, experts will be making predictions about the composition of the newly elected House of Commons By 2 in the morning, ≥ ½ of the constituencies will have declared their results.
validity of election Fairly conducted Candidates are entitled to demand as many recounts as they want until the result is beyond doubt Exception In Northern Ireland “Vote early, vote often”
By- election Whenever a sitting MP can no longer fulfill his duties, there has to be a special new election in the constituency which he represents By elections No system of can take place ready substitutes at any time
Suggestions for further reading 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Major political parties Powers of the monarch Parliamentary procedure The tension between central government and local government British voting behaviour
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