(no subject)

[alcute]

 

The formal institutions – 1
·         What is the Queen's official role?	§         Head of State of the UK + head of most of the countries in the Commonwealth (Crown is a ceremonial and symbolic head) §         Constitutional monarchy: powers of Queen is limited by constitutional law or convention §         The Queen/King must accept the decisions of the Cabinet & Parliament §         The Queen/King can express their views on government matters privately to the PM (e.g. at their weekly “audience”)  §         Symbol of national unity
·         What ceremonial duties does she have?	§         Opening & closing of Parliament §         “the Queen’s speech” from a throne in the House of Lords (stating the Government’s policies for the next session) §         Gives the letters of appointment to holders of high office within the Government, the armed forces, and the Church of England (on the PM’s advise)
·         How do elections for the House of Commons work?	HC – the ultimate source of power The MPs are elected from 659 UK constituencies    “First past the post” system (a candidate in a constituency, who gains more votes than any other is elected) Number of seats going to the winner is always proportionately greater than their total vote
·         How are candidates selected?	Candidates nominated by political parties The main political parties have membership branches in every constituency throughout Britain Local party organisations select candidates, discuss policy, canvas the voters Sometimes individual independent candidates compete for the votes of electorate   MPs represent everyone in their constituency MPs must pay a deposit £500 which is not returned if they receive less than 5% of the vote
§         What does the Speaker do? (S. is an ordinary MP,  elected by fellow MPs)	Keeping order during political debates in a fair & impartial way Representing the House of Commons on ceremonial occasions Ensuring the smooth running of the business of the House
·          What do the Whips do?  (small group of MPs, appointed by their party leader)	Ensure discipline & attendance of MPs at voting time in the House of Commons The Chief Whips commonly attends Cabinet or Shadow Cabinet meetings The Chief Whips negotiate with the Speaker over the timetable & the order of business
·         What is the House of Lords?	Upper House §         Examine in detail & at greater leisure new laws proposed by the House of Commons §         Suggest amendments or changes (delay-not prevent-the passage of new legislation) §         Debates issues which the Commons pass over or can find no time for §         Report on a particular social problem §         Scrutinise some aspect of the workings of government §         Absolute right to reject any proposed law that would extend the life of the Parliament beyond the 5 year period
·         Who are its members?	Peers of the realm (hereditary aristocrats, or people rewarded 4 public service, no duty to attend HL). They elect a small number of themselves to attend Life Peers (1957), appointed by PM = working peers  (members of other X-denominations, other faiths, non-believers, humanists) Senior Bishops of the Church of England Senior judges
·         How can you visit Parliament?	§         ask local MP for tickets §         join a queue at the public entrance