The Political System of the UK

The UK is a constitutional (or parliamentary) monarchy, withould a written constitution. The British constitutional is based on Acts of Parliament (also called “laws” or “statutes”) and “conventions” which are commonly accepted acceptation about the way things should be done. The country has very little power and can only reign with the support of parliament. Parliament consists of two chambers known as the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Parliament and the monarch have different roles in the government of the country, and they only meet together on symbolic occasion such as the coronation of a new monarch or the opening of Parliament. In reality, House of Commons is the only one of the three which has true power. It is majority of the members are in favour of a bill it goes to the Hose of Lords to be debated and finally to the monarch to be signed. Only then does it become law. Although a bill must be supported by all three bodies, the House of Lords only has limited powers, and the monarch has not refused to sign one since the modern political system began over 200 years ago.

The Monarch

For a thousand years England (and later the whole of the UK.) has been united under one sovereign. The hereditary principe still operates and the Crown is passed on to the sovereigns eldest son (or daughter if three are no song)

The Queen has a certain role in state affairs, not only through her ceremonial function, such as opening Parliament, but also because she meets the Prime Minister every week and received copies of all Cabinet papers.

The powers of the monarch are not defined precisely, however.

The House of Lords

Members of the House of Lords Are not elected, they sit there because of their rank and do not receive a salary. There are 26 Anglican bishop, 800 hereditary peers, 11 judges and 400 life peers. The chairman of the House of Lords is the Lord Chancellor, who sits on the Woolsack.

Members of the House of Lords debate a bill after it has been passed by the House of Commons. Changes may be recommended, and agreement between the two Houses is reached by negotiation.

The House of Commons

Is made up of 650 elected members knows as mps. An mp makes a motion, the house debates it and finally decides whether to agree or disagree with it.

Population

The population of the United Kingdom is over 57 million people. The population lives mostly in towns a cities a their suburbs.

The UK is inhabited by The English, The Scottish, The Welsh a the Northern Irish, who constitute the British nation. They all are descendants of different peoples who settled in The British Isles at different times.

The latest wave of immigrants from the West Indies, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Hong Hong has caused problems. However the atmosphere is improving and the different races are slowly learning to trust one another.

British culture is being enriched through its contact with other cultures.

Exercises

Which of these capital cities are the capitals of independent states: Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Cardiff, London?

2. Make up sentences from these words:

1. crosses, the flag, made up, is, of, three, of, the UK.

2. suburbs, the population, mostly, lives, in, and, towns, cities, their. And.

3. 1000, more, the House of Lords, than, has, members.

Dialogue 1

- Hi, John. This is Tim. I’m calling from Oxford.

- From Oxford? What on earth are you doing there?

- I’m on holiday. You know, Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and most prestigious universities in Great Britain. They are often called Oxbridge to denote an elite education.

- How is the weather in Oxford? Rainy, isn’t it? It always rains in England. I mean most of the time.

- No, not really. The weather is warm and sunny now. I hope, a spell of good weather set in.

- How do you like the city?

- Oh, it’s beautiful. It has many places of interest. I got to know that lots of great men studied at Oxbridge – Roger Bacon, the philosopher, Milton, the poet, Oliver Cromwell, the soldier, Newton, the scientist, and Kapitza, the famous Russian physicist.

- Are you having a good time?

- Yes, I am. I really like the place.

- Good. Thanks for calling me, Tim. Have а good time in Oxford.

- Thank you, John. Bye.

Dialogue 2

Planning a holiday.

- Where shall we go for our holiday this year, Alex?

- How about Turkey, Helen? It’s cheap and it’s very warm there.

- I’d prefer something more exciting this year. Have you heard about holidays in Scotland?

- I prefer lying on a beach to mountaineering.

- But we spend every year lying on a beach and I’d like to do something different this time. I’d rather not go anywhere so crowded.

- Well, probably you’re right. They say in Scotland many valleys between the hills are filled with beautiful lakes called Lochs. The best known is Loch Ness where as some people think a large monster lives.

- Oh, it’s so interesting to see it. Besides, Glasgow is also the home of two well known football clubs: Glasgow Rangers and Celtic.

- We can go and be in time to see the Highland games held in the northeast, best known for the athletic events, whilst the best piping is traditionally found in the highlands and islands off the west coast.

- OK. So we’re going to Scotland, aren’t we?

- That’s right.

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