Political system of Great Britain Elina Hanstein, Helen

Political system of Great Britain Elina Hanstein, Helen Heinsoo C. R Jakobson Gymnasium, 11 c Supervisors: T. Pukk, M. Maasen Viljandi

The royal family Prince Charles Prince William Princess Diana Queen Elizabeth

The introduction • Britain is administered from the Palace of Westminister in London (also known as the Houses of Parliament) • The head of the state is the queen (she opens and closes Parliament. • In GB there is constitutional monarchy

The House of Commons • MP-S are elected by the British public • The House of Commons has 651 seats • The chairman is called speaker

The House of Lords • Members are not elected, they inherit their seats from their fathers • Members are called life peers

The Parties The Labour Party The Conservative Party The Liberal Democrats • emerg ed at the end of the 19 th century • came to power in 18 th century • Formed in the late 1980 s • The leader is Tony Blair • M. Thatcher was deposed as leader in 1990 • Close relations whit Labour Party • It returned to power in 1997 • It is popular among older people

Parliament. H o u s e o f L o r d s. T h e H o u s e o f C o m m o n s T h e Q u e e n

Government. S e n i o r M P — s T h e y a l l f o r m t h e c a b i n e t G o v e r n m e n t d e p a r t m e n t s M e m b e r s o f t h e L o r d s P r i m e m i n i s t e r

Queen Elizabeth Birth: 4. 08. year 1900 Married : 1923 Died : 30.

Elections… • Are held every five years • Voting is not compulsory and is from the age of 18 • The party which wins the most seats forms the government

The British flag It is called Union Jack and it symbolises the union of England. Flag is made up of the crosses of the patron saints of England.

Five last prime ministers since… • 1974 -1976 Harold Wilson Labour • 1976 -1979 James Callaghan Labour • 1979 -1990 Margaret Thatcher Conservative • 1990 -1997 John Major Conservative • 1997 — Tony Blair Labour

The most important ministers… Responsibility • Government spending • Presents the Budget annually in March • Lives at 11 Downing street. Minister • Chancellor of the Exchequer

11 Downing Street The home of the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Foreign Secretary Responsibility • Relations with other countries

Home Secretary Responsibility • Internal relations • The police • Law and order • Law courts

Do you know… • What is the Cabinet?

The answer… The Cabinet is a committee of ministers

Queen Elizabeth II Real name : Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor Birth : 21 April 1926 in London Children : 3 sons, 1 daughter

Summary • The term “Great Britain” is the expression for The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland • The head of the state is the Queen • In GB the Parliament is made up of two chambers: The House of Commons and The House of Lords