Chapter 8Chapter 8

Great BritainGreat Britain

LegitimacyLegitimacy

The government of Great Britain has The government of Great Britain has developed gradually, so that developed gradually, so that tradition tradition is a is a primary source of stabilityprimary source of stability

Great Britain’s constitution is Great Britain’s constitution is unwrittenunwritten having evolved from different documents, having evolved from different documents, common law, legal codes, and customs often common law, legal codes, and customs often referred to collectively as the “referred to collectively as the “Constitution Constitution of the Crown” (Constitutional Monarchy)of the Crown” (Constitutional Monarchy)

Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights are central Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights are central documents in the formation of the British documents in the formation of the British “constitution”“constitution”

Historical Evolution of Historical Evolution of British PoliticsBritish Politics Magna CartaMagna Carta(1215) – King John (1215) – King John

agreed to consult the nobles agreed to consult the nobles before he made important before he made important decisions, in particular regarding decisions, in particular regarding taxestaxes

Limited government – restrictions Limited government – restrictions on the monarch began with the on the monarch began with the Magna CartaMagna Carta

Historical Evolution of Historical Evolution of British Politics Part IIBritish Politics Part II English Civil WarEnglish Civil War (1640s) – civil war (1640s) – civil war

between the supporters of King Charles I and between the supporters of King Charles I and Parliament (Roundheads).Parliament (Roundheads).

Roundheads won, Charles I is executedRoundheads won, Charles I is executed Oliver Cromwell leads during this time until Oliver Cromwell leads during this time until

Parliament reinstates the monarch (Charles Parliament reinstates the monarch (Charles II)II)

The Glorious RevolutionThe Glorious Revolution (1688) – officially (1688) – officially established Parliament as the ruling body of established Parliament as the ruling body of Great Britain. The agreement signed between Great Britain. The agreement signed between William & Mary and Parliament was known as William & Mary and Parliament was known as the the Bill of RightsBill of Rights

Historical Evolution of Historical Evolution of British Politics Part IIIBritish Politics Part III Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution

– Great Britain evolves from feudal Great Britain evolves from feudal society to one dominated by colonial society to one dominated by colonial mercantilismmercantilism

– ImperialismImperialism– TradeTrade

Political CulturePolitical Culture

GeographyGeography IslandIsland Small in sizeSmall in size No major geographical barriersNo major geographical barriers Temperate climateTemperate climate Short supply of fertile soilShort supply of fertile soil

Political Beliefs & Political Beliefs & ValuesValues Through 1960s British political Through 1960s British political

culture characterized by:culture characterized by:– TrustTrust– Deference to authority and Deference to authority and

competencecompetence– Pragmatism Pragmatism – HarmonyHarmony– High voter participationHigh voter participation

Political Beliefs & Values Political Beliefs & Values continued: “Politics of continued: “Politics of Protest”Protest” 1970s and beyond: Altered views1970s and beyond: Altered views

– Less supportive of collective Less supportive of collective consensusconsensus

– Support for free market economySupport for free market economy– Decreasing support for labor unionsDecreasing support for labor unions– Increased violence in Northern IrelandIncreased violence in Northern Ireland– ThatcherismThatcherism– New Labour (Third Way)New Labour (Third Way)

Political Culture Part IIPolitical Culture Part II

InsularityInsularity Feeling of separation, in particular Feeling of separation, in particular

from the continent of Europefrom the continent of Europe Sense of exceptionalismSense of exceptionalism Has created friction with the EUHas created friction with the EU Different from isolationismDifferent from isolationism

Political Culture Part Political Culture Part IIIIIINoblesse ObligeNoblesse Oblige Important tradition in British politicsImportant tradition in British politics The duty of the upper classes to take The duty of the upper classes to take

responsibility for the welfare of the lower responsibility for the welfare of the lower classesclasses

Legacy of feudal times (Lords protected serfs)Legacy of feudal times (Lords protected serfs) Reflected in willingness of British citizens to Reflected in willingness of British citizens to

accept a welfare stateaccept a welfare state Margaret Thatcher’s administration Margaret Thatcher’s administration

challenged this by significantly cutting social challenged this by significantly cutting social services and social welfare programsservices and social welfare programs

Political Culture Part Political Culture Part IV:IV:Multi-nationalismMulti-nationalism Although Britain has a relatively Although Britain has a relatively

large amount of large amount of cultural cultural homogeneity homogeneity (Anglo/white) it is (Anglo/white) it is divided into four nationsdivided into four nations– EnglandEngland– ScotlandScotland– WalesWales– Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

Political Culture Part V:Political Culture Part V:Extension of Voting Extension of Voting RightsRights Great Reform Act of 1832Great Reform Act of 1832: : About 300,000 men About 300,000 men

gained right to vote, House of Commons gained gained right to vote, House of Commons gained more power in relation to House of Lordsmore power in relation to House of Lords

Reform Act of 1867Reform Act of 1867:: electorate reaches 3 electorate reaches 3 million, many working class people allowed to votemillion, many working class people allowed to vote

Representation of the People Act of 1884Representation of the People Act of 1884: : electorate is further expanded to make sure that electorate is further expanded to make sure that majority of electorate is working classmajority of electorate is working class

Women’s SuffrageWomen’s Suffrage:: all women over the age of all women over the age of 28 and all men over 21 granted the right to vote in 28 and all men over 21 granted the right to vote in 1918. By 1928, all women over 21 allowed to vote.1918. By 1928, all women over 21 allowed to vote.

Collective ConsensusCollective Consensus

Began during WWII with Churchill’s emphasis on Began during WWII with Churchill’s emphasis on putting class differences aside in order to work putting class differences aside in order to work together to defeat Germanytogether to defeat Germany

Churchill headed an all-party coalition government Churchill headed an all-party coalition government during WWII (He was originally elected as a during WWII (He was originally elected as a Conservative)Conservative)

The spirit of collective consensus continued beyond The spirit of collective consensus continued beyond the war well into the 1960s.the war well into the 1960s.

Both Labour and Conservative parties supported the Both Labour and Conservative parties supported the development of the modern welfare systemdevelopment of the modern welfare system

Beveridge Report Beveridge Report – adopted by both parties during – adopted by both parties during the war made all citizens eligible for health, the war made all citizens eligible for health, unemployment, pension, and other welfare benefitsunemployment, pension, and other welfare benefits

National Health Service National Health Service (1948) – created under (1948) – created under the leadership of the Labour Partythe leadership of the Labour Party

EnglandEngland

Largest region of Great BritainLargest region of Great Britain Makes up 2/3 of the land massMakes up 2/3 of the land mass English have dominated the other English have dominated the other

nationalities historically, and still nationalities historically, and still hold a disproportionate share of hold a disproportionate share of political powerpolitical power

ScotlandScotland

History of resistance to English ruleHistory of resistance to English rule Strong sense of national identityStrong sense of national identity Have their own flagHave their own flag Recently granted their own Recently granted their own

parliament and regional assembly parliament and regional assembly (devolution)(devolution)

Scottish National PartyScottish National Party – political – political party of the region of Scotlandparty of the region of Scotland

WalesWales

Became subject to the King of England in Became subject to the King of England in 1616thth century century

Located west of EnglandLocated west of England Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru – Welch national political – Welch national political

partyparty Strong sense of national pride reflected in Strong sense of national pride reflected in

their flag and in their own languagetheir flag and in their own language Granted their own assembly (devolution)Granted their own assembly (devolution)

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

Long history of conflict between England and Ireland, Long history of conflict between England and Ireland, particularly over religionparticularly over religion

After the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell attempted to After the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell attempted to impose Protestantism on the mostly Catholic Irelandimpose Protestantism on the mostly Catholic Ireland

After WWI After WWI home rulehome rule was granted to Ireland except for the was granted to Ireland except for the northeast corner where Protestants outnumbered Catholics, northeast corner where Protestants outnumbered Catholics, 60% to 40%60% to 40%

Home rule was granted largely because of the Irish Home rule was granted largely because of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) which used guerrilla tactics against Republican Army (IRA) which used guerrilla tactics against British forces to secure independenceBritish forces to secure independence

Sinn FeinSinn Fein – political party of the IRA – political party of the IRA In 1949 the bulk of Ireland officially became independentIn 1949 the bulk of Ireland officially became independent Northern Ireland remains under British controlNorthern Ireland remains under British control Their continues to be a great deal of conflict between Their continues to be a great deal of conflict between

Catholics and Protestants in Northern IrelandCatholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland

Education & Political Education & Political Elite RecruitmentElite Recruitment ““Public schools” originally were intended to Public schools” originally were intended to

train boys for “public life” in the military, civil train boys for “public life” in the military, civil service, or politicsservice, or politics

Majority of Britain’s political elites go to Majority of Britain’s political elites go to public boarding schoolspublic boarding schools

Currently only about 65% of British 17-year Currently only about 65% of British 17-year olds are still in school, the lowest number of olds are still in school, the lowest number of any industrialized societyany industrialized society

Oxbridge Oxbridge (Oxford-Cambridge) – the most (Oxford-Cambridge) – the most important portal to membership in the elite important portal to membership in the elite classes and political recruitment is through classes and political recruitment is through these two prestigious universitiesthese two prestigious universities

Ethnic MinoritiesEthnic Minorities

Make up about 8% of the British Make up about 8% of the British populationpopulation– Indian (23%)Indian (23%)– Pakistani (16%)Pakistani (16%)– Afro-Caribbean (13%)Afro-Caribbean (13%)– Black African (11%)Black African (11%)

DevolutionDevolution

British government is a unitary system (centralized control)British government is a unitary system (centralized control) Starting in the 1970s the Scots and Welsh made an aggressive Starting in the 1970s the Scots and Welsh made an aggressive

push for certain political autonomy in their regionspush for certain political autonomy in their regions DevolutionDevolution – the turning over of some political power and – the turning over of some political power and

autonomy to regional governmentsautonomy to regional governments The Labour Party had supported the idea of devolution since the The Labour Party had supported the idea of devolution since the

1970s1970s Margaret Thatcher’s administration blocked the idea during the Margaret Thatcher’s administration blocked the idea during the

period in which they controlled governmentperiod in which they controlled government Under Tony Blair’s New Labour Party the idea of devolution was Under Tony Blair’s New Labour Party the idea of devolution was

revisitedrevisited In 1999, referendums in Scotland and Wales successfully In 1999, referendums in Scotland and Wales successfully

passed, and each established their own regional assemblies: passed, and each established their own regional assemblies: powers of taxation, education, and economic planningpowers of taxation, education, and economic planning

In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement established a parliament for In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement established a parliament for Northern Ireland as well, but it was shut down by London in 2003 Northern Ireland as well, but it was shut down by London in 2003 when violence broke out once again in the region of Northern when violence broke out once again in the region of Northern Ireland.Ireland.

Linkage InstitutionsLinkage Institutions

Political PartiesPolitical Parties Interest GroupsInterest Groups MediaMedia

– PrintPrint– ElectronicElectronic

Labour PartyLabour Party

Largest party on the “left” of political spectrumLargest party on the “left” of political spectrum Began in 1906 as alliance between trade unions and Began in 1906 as alliance between trade unions and

social groups that were strengthened by expansion of social groups that were strengthened by expansion of workers’ rightsworkers’ rights

Traditionally labor union have provided majority of Traditionally labor union have provided majority of funds for the partyfunds for the party

Early history of the party defined by controversial Early history of the party defined by controversial ““Clause 4” Clause 4” that called for nationalization of the that called for nationalization of the “commanding heights” of British industry\“commanding heights” of British industry\

Trade Union Council (TUC) Trade Union Council (TUC) – a coalition of trade – a coalition of trade unions generally associated with the Labour Party, has unions generally associated with the Labour Party, has traditionally been a force in British politicstraditionally been a force in British politics

Growing moderation of the party reflected by removal Growing moderation of the party reflected by removal of clause in early 1990sof clause in early 1990s

Labour Party in 1990sLabour Party in 1990s

Shift in policies toward more centrist Shift in policies toward more centrist viewsviews

Shift in political platform originated with Shift in political platform originated with Neil Kinnock, party leader in the 1980sNeil Kinnock, party leader in the 1980s

Moderate-centrist views have continued Moderate-centrist views have continued under leadership of John Smith (1993-under leadership of John Smith (1993-94) and Tony Blair (1997-present)94) and Tony Blair (1997-present)

Tony Blair’s adopts “Third Way” platform Tony Blair’s adopts “Third Way” platform and creates “New Labour” Partyand creates “New Labour” Party

““Third Way”Third Way”

ModerateModerate Centrist alternative to “Old Labour” Party on Centrist alternative to “Old Labour” Party on

left and Conservative Party on rightleft and Conservative Party on right Initiated by Tony Blair in the late 1990sInitiated by Tony Blair in the late 1990s Attempting to redefine and balance following Attempting to redefine and balance following

policy issues:policy issues:– Evolving relationship between government & Evolving relationship between government &

economyeconomy– British relationship with EUBritish relationship with EU– Balancing act between the United States and Balancing act between the United States and

European UnionEuropean Union– DevolutionDevolution

Conservative PartyConservative Party

Dominant party in Great Britain between WWII Dominant party in Great Britain between WWII and late 1990sand late 1990s

Main party on the rightMain party on the right Traditionally pragmatic as opposed to Traditionally pragmatic as opposed to

ideologicalideological Historically has supported a market controlled Historically has supported a market controlled

economy, privatization, and fewer social economy, privatization, and fewer social welfare programs – symbolized by Margaret welfare programs – symbolized by Margaret Thatcher in 1980sThatcher in 1980s

Under Prime Minister John Major (1990-1997) Under Prime Minister John Major (1990-1997) gravitated towards center and away from gravitated towards center and away from ThatcherismThatcherism

Conservative Party IIConservative Party II

Characterized by Characterized by Noblesse ObligeNoblesse Oblige Power centered in LondonPower centered in London Party organization viewed as elitistParty organization viewed as elitist Leadership must submit to annual leadership Leadership must submit to annual leadership

electionselections Weakened by division of party in late 1990s:Weakened by division of party in late 1990s:

– Traditional Wing(one-nation Tories)Traditional Wing(one-nation Tories) – values – values noblesse obligenoblesse oblige and elitism, supports Britain’s and elitism, supports Britain’s membership in EUmembership in EU

– Thatcherite WingThatcherite Wing – strict conservatives, support full – strict conservatives, support full free market, known as “Euroskeptics”, feel EU free market, known as “Euroskeptics”, feel EU threatens British sovereigntythreatens British sovereignty

ThatcherismThatcherism

Rightist reforms instituted by Margaret Thatcher in 1980sRightist reforms instituted by Margaret Thatcher in 1980s– Privatized business and industryPrivatized business and industry– Cut back on social welfare programsCut back on social welfare programs– Strengthened national defense (staunch anticommunist)Strengthened national defense (staunch anticommunist)– Got tough with labor unions in response to Labour Got tough with labor unions in response to Labour

Parties distinct movement left, which had strengthened Parties distinct movement left, which had strengthened labor unions politicallylabor unions politically

– Returned to market force controls on the economyReturned to market force controls on the economy– Resisted complete integration into the European UnionResisted complete integration into the European Union– Replaced property tax on houses with a poll tax on Replaced property tax on houses with a poll tax on

individual adultsindividual adults– Froze income tax increasesFroze income tax increases– Foreign policy dominated by securing British interests Foreign policy dominated by securing British interests

internationallyinternationally

Liberal-Democratic Liberal-Democratic PartyParty Alliance between the Liberal and Social Alliance between the Liberal and Social

Democratic Parties during the 1980sDemocratic Parties during the 1980s Formally merged in 1989 into Liberal Democratic Formally merged in 1989 into Liberal Democratic

partyparty Attempted to create strong “in the middle” Attempted to create strong “in the middle”

compromise to the two dominant partiescompromise to the two dominant parties Won a party high 26% of vote in 1983, but Won a party high 26% of vote in 1983, but

because of because of single-member district plurality single-member district plurality systemsystem only secured 23 seats in Parliament only secured 23 seats in Parliament

Secured only 62 MP seats in 2005 even though Secured only 62 MP seats in 2005 even though they won 22% of the popular votethey won 22% of the popular vote

Also managed to gain support in reference to their Also managed to gain support in reference to their stance on issues such as health, education, the stance on issues such as health, education, the environment, and the Iraq Warenvironment, and the Iraq War

Other PartiesOther Parties

Scottish National PartyScottish National Party Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru – Welch nationalist – Welch nationalist

partyparty Sinn Fein Sinn Fein – political arm of the – political arm of the

IRAIRA Democratic Unionist PartyDemocratic Unionist Party – –

led by Protestant clergymenled by Protestant clergymen

ElectionsElections

Members of Parliament (MPs) are the only Members of Parliament (MPs) are the only national officials that British voters selectnational officials that British voters select

Elections must be held at least every 5 years, Elections must be held at least every 5 years, but Prime Minister may call them earlierbut Prime Minister may call them earlier

Officially elections occur after the Crown Officially elections occur after the Crown dissolves Parliament, but that always dissolves Parliament, but that always happens after the Prime Minister requests ithappens after the Prime Minister requests it

Power to call elections very importantPower to call elections very important – – the Prime Minister always calls elections the Prime Minister always calls elections when they think that the majority party has when they think that the majority party has the best chance to winthe best chance to win

Elections IIElections II

““Winner-take-all” systemWinner-take-all” system Single-member district plurality systemSingle-member district plurality system Each party selects a candidate to run for each Each party selects a candidate to run for each

districtdistrict ““First-past-the-post” winnerFirst-past-the-post” winner MPs do not have to live in the district in which they MPs do not have to live in the district in which they

are running, therefore party selects who runs in are running, therefore party selects who runs in what districtswhat districts

Party leaders run from Party leaders run from safe districts safe districts – or districts – or districts that the party almost always winsthat the party almost always wins

Political neophytes are selected to run in districts Political neophytes are selected to run in districts the party know it will losethe party know it will lose

They are usually happy just to receive more votes They are usually happy just to receive more votes than the party usually gets in that districtthan the party usually gets in that district

Voting PatternsVoting Patterns

Conservative PartyConservative Party– Middle and upper classesMiddle and upper classes– EducatedEducated– Residents of England, mostly rural and suburban Residents of England, mostly rural and suburban

areasareas

Labour PartyLabour Party– Traditionally supported by working classTraditionally supported by working class– Residents of urban and industrial areas Residents of urban and industrial areas

(Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle)(Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle)– ““Third Way” centrist policies have made Labour Third Way” centrist policies have made Labour

Party appealing to Scots, Welsh, and the poorParty appealing to Scots, Welsh, and the poor

U.S. vs British U.S. vs British ElectionsElections United StatesUnited States

– Parties are less powerfulParties are less powerful– Members must live in Members must live in

districtsdistricts– Party leaders run in their Party leaders run in their

respective districtsrespective districts– Individual votes for four Individual votes for four

officials on national levelofficials on national level– Between 30 and 60 Between 30 and 60

percent of the eligible percent of the eligible voters actually votevoters actually vote

– First-past-the-post, First-past-the-post, single-member districts; single-member districts; virtually no minor parties virtually no minor parties get representationget representation

Great BritainGreat Britain– Party determines who runs Party determines who runs

wherewhere– Members usually don’t live Members usually don’t live

in their districtsin their districts– Party leaders run in “safe Party leaders run in “safe

districts”districts”– Individual votes for only Individual votes for only

one official on the national one official on the national levellevel

– About 70 to 80 percent of About 70 to 80 percent of the eligible voters actually the eligible voters actually vote (number was less in vote (number was less in 2001 & 2005)2001 & 2005)

– First-past-the-post, single-First-past-the-post, single-member districts; some member districts; some representation from representation from minority parties, but still minority parties, but still less than if they had less than if they had proportional representationproportional representation

Interest GroupsInterest Groups

Between 1945-1980, business interests and Between 1945-1980, business interests and trade union organizations fiercely competed trade union organizations fiercely competed for influence over the policy-making processfor influence over the policy-making process

Trade Union Congress (TUC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) – represents – represents coalition of unions, had great deal of political coalition of unions, had great deal of political power at one time and government often power at one time and government often consulted them on important policy decisions consulted them on important policy decisions – traditionally aligned with Labour Party– traditionally aligned with Labour Party

Coalition of Business and Industry (CBI) Coalition of Business and Industry (CBI) – a coalition of business groups and private – a coalition of business groups and private interests, usually supportive of the interests, usually supportive of the Conservative PartyConservative Party

MediaMedia

British newspapers reflect social class British newspapers reflect social class divisionsdivisions

They are divided between quality news They are divided between quality news and comments that appeal to the middle and comments that appeal to the middle and upper classes, and mass circulation and upper classes, and mass circulation tabloids that target working and lower tabloids that target working and lower classesclasses

British Broadcasting Corporation British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – (BBC) – Sought to educate citizensSought to educate citizens– Usually respectful of government officialsUsually respectful of government officials– Had significant clash with Blair government in Had significant clash with Blair government in

2003-2004 over policies regarding the Iraq War2003-2004 over policies regarding the Iraq War

Prime Minister & Prime Minister & CabinetCabinet Prime MinisterPrime Minister

– ““First among equals”First among equals”– Member of Parliament Member of Parliament

and Leader of majority and Leader of majority partyparty

– Speaks legitimately for all Speaks legitimately for all Members of ParliamentMembers of Parliament

– Chooses cabinet Chooses cabinet ministers and important ministers and important subordinate postssubordinate posts

– Makes decisions in Makes decisions in cabinet, with agreement cabinet, with agreement of ministersof ministers

– Campaigns for and Campaigns for and represents the party in represents the party in parliamentary electionsparliamentary elections

– Shapes cabinet decisions Shapes cabinet decisions into policyinto policy

CabinetCabinet– Collective cabinet is the Collective cabinet is the

center of policy-making center of policy-making in the British political in the British political systemsystem

– As leaders of majority As leaders of majority party elected by the party elected by the people, they take people, they take ““collective collective responsibilityresponsibility” for ” for making the policy of making the policy of the country the country

Comparing ExecutivesComparing Executives

Prime Minister of UKPrime Minister of UK– Serves only as long as Serves only as long as

he/she remains leader of he/she remains leader of majority partymajority party

– Elected as MPElected as MP– Has an excellent chance Has an excellent chance

of getting his/her of getting his/her programs past programs past ParliamentParliament

– Cabinet members are Cabinet members are always MPs and leaders always MPs and leaders of the majority partyof the majority party

– Cabinet members not Cabinet members not experts in policy areas: experts in policy areas: rely on bureaucracy to rely on bureaucracy to provide expertiseprovide expertise

President of the USPresident of the US– Elected every four years Elected every four years

by an electoral college by an electoral college based on popular electionbased on popular election

– Elected as presidentElected as president– Has an excellent chance Has an excellent chance

of ending up in gridlock of ending up in gridlock with Congresswith Congress

– Cabinet members usually Cabinet members usually don’t come from Congress don’t come from Congress (although they may)(although they may)

– Some expertise in policy Some expertise in policy areas; one criteria for areas; one criteria for their appointment; head their appointment; head vast bureaucraciesvast bureaucracies

ParliamentParliament

House of CommonsHouse of CommonsParty that receives the majority of the Party that receives the majority of the plurality of the votes becomes the plurality of the votes becomes the Majority Party in Parliament, the party Majority Party in Parliament, the party with the second most votes becomes with the second most votes becomes the “the “loyal oppositionloyal opposition””

House of Commons:House of Commons:Set-upSet-up House of Commons set-up with long benches facing House of Commons set-up with long benches facing

each othereach other Prime Minister sits on front bench of majority side, Prime Minister sits on front bench of majority side,

directly in the middledirectly in the middle Directly across from the PM sits the leader of the Directly across from the PM sits the leader of the

“opposition” party“opposition” party Between members of the majority and opposition Between members of the majority and opposition

parties is a long tableparties is a long table Cabinet members sit on the front rows of the majority Cabinet members sit on the front rows of the majority

party sideparty side ““Shadow CabinetShadow Cabinet” – influential members of the ” – influential members of the

opposition party sit facing Cabinet members of majority opposition party sit facing Cabinet members of majority party on the opposing sideparty on the opposing side

Backbenchers Backbenchers – less influential members of both – less influential members of both parties sit in the rear benches on both sides of the parties sit in the rear benches on both sides of the meeting hall as wellmeeting hall as well

House of Commons:House of Commons:DebateDebate ““Government” – consists of MPs on the first rows of the Government” – consists of MPs on the first rows of the

majority party side, they are majority party members, majority party side, they are majority party members, including the PM, that are most influential in making policyincluding the PM, that are most influential in making policy

Question Time/Question HourQuestion Time/Question Hour – the hour the prime – the hour the prime minister and his cabinet must defend themselves from minister and his cabinet must defend themselves from inquisitive attacks from the opposition party as well as inquisitive attacks from the opposition party as well as direct inquiry from members of his/her own partydirect inquiry from members of his/her own party

Speaker of the House Speaker of the House – presides over the debates in – presides over the debates in Parliament, the speaker is suppose to be objective and Parliament, the speaker is suppose to be objective and often is not a member of the majority party. Their job is to often is not a member of the majority party. Their job is to let all speak without letting the debate get out of hand.let all speak without letting the debate get out of hand.

Because of a lack of checks & balances between branches Because of a lack of checks & balances between branches in British politics the opposition party is seen as the in British politics the opposition party is seen as the “check” on the majority party within Parliament, this “check” on the majority party within Parliament, this “check” power is best utilized during times of debate over “check” power is best utilized during times of debate over policypolicy

Party DisciplineParty Discipline

Party discipline very important in British politicsParty discipline very important in British politics If party members do not support their party If party members do not support their party

leadership, the “government” may fall into crisisleadership, the “government” may fall into crisis Vote of ConfidenceVote of Confidence

– Vote on a key issue within the partyVote on a key issue within the party– If the issue is not supported, the cabinet by tradition If the issue is not supported, the cabinet by tradition

must resign immediately, and new elections for MPs must resign immediately, and new elections for MPs must be held as soon as possiblemust be held as soon as possible

– This is usually avoided by settling policy differences This is usually avoided by settling policy differences within majority party membershipwithin majority party membership

– If the party loses a vote of confidence, all MPs lose If the party loses a vote of confidence, all MPs lose their jobs, so there is plenty of motivation to vote the their jobs, so there is plenty of motivation to vote the party lineparty line

Blair’s Vote of Blair’s Vote of ConfidenceConfidence Higher Education BillHigher Education Bill

– Vote of confidence took place in 2005Vote of confidence took place in 2005– Bill squeaked by with an approval vote of 316 Bill squeaked by with an approval vote of 316

to 311to 311– The bill proposed raising university fees, a The bill proposed raising university fees, a

measure criticized not only by the opposition, measure criticized not only by the opposition, but by outspoken MPs from the Labour Party but by outspoken MPs from the Labour Party as wellas well

– The vote narrowly allowed Blair’s government The vote narrowly allowed Blair’s government to remain in control of the Commonsto remain in control of the Commons

Parliamentary PowersParliamentary Powers

Debate and refine potential legislationDebate and refine potential legislation They are the only ones who may They are the only ones who may

become party leaders and ultimately become party leaders and ultimately may head the governmentmay head the government

Scrutinize the administration of lawsScrutinize the administration of laws Keep communication lines open Keep communication lines open

between voters and ministersbetween voters and ministers

House of LordsHouse of Lords

Only hereditary parliamentary house in existence todayOnly hereditary parliamentary house in existence today– Hereditary peersHereditary peers: hold seats that have been passed : hold seats that have been passed

down through family ties over the centuriesdown through family ties over the centuries– Life peersLife peers: people appointed to nonhereditary positions : people appointed to nonhereditary positions

as a result of distinguished service to Britainas a result of distinguished service to Britain Lords have gradually declined in authority over last 4 Lords have gradually declined in authority over last 4

centuriescenturies Since the beginning of the 20Since the beginning of the 20thth century the House of Lords’ century the House of Lords’

only powers are:only powers are:– To delay legislationTo delay legislation– To debate To debate technicalitiestechnicalities of proposed bills of proposed bills– Lords may add amendments to legislation, but House of Lords may add amendments to legislation, but House of

Commons may delete their changes by a simple majority Commons may delete their changes by a simple majority votevote

– The House of Lords includes five The House of Lords includes five law lordslaw lords who serve as who serve as Britain’s highest court of appeals, but they cannot rule Britain’s highest court of appeals, but they cannot rule acts of Parliament unconstitutionalacts of Parliament unconstitutional

Bureaucracy: Civil Bureaucracy: Civil ServantsServants Hundred of thousands of civil servants in the UKHundred of thousands of civil servants in the UK They administer laws and deliver public They administer laws and deliver public

servicesservices Most do clerical and routine work for the Most do clerical and routine work for the

bureaucracybureaucracy A few hundred directly advise ministers and A few hundred directly advise ministers and

oversee work of departmentsoversee work of departments Top civil servants and bureaucrats usually stay Top civil servants and bureaucrats usually stay

with their departments, while ministers are with their departments, while ministers are party officials who move with party demandsparty officials who move with party demands

Therefore, top civil servants often have a great Therefore, top civil servants often have a great deal of input into policy-makingdeal of input into policy-making

Judiciary BranchJudiciary Branch

In Britain, the principle of In Britain, the principle of parliamentary sovereignty parliamentary sovereignty (parliament’s decisions are final) has limited the (parliament’s decisions are final) has limited the development of judicial reviewdevelopment of judicial review

British courts can only determine whether government British courts can only determine whether government decisions violate the common law or previous acts of decisions violate the common law or previous acts of ParliamentParliament

By tradition British courts cannot impose their rulings By tradition British courts cannot impose their rulings upon Parliament, the prime minister, or the cabinetupon Parliament, the prime minister, or the cabinet

Law lords – settle disputes from lower courts; they do not Law lords – settle disputes from lower courts; they do not have power of judicial review, so their authority is limitedhave power of judicial review, so their authority is limited

Constitutional Reform Act of 2005Constitutional Reform Act of 2005 – provides for a – provides for a Supreme Court of the United Kingdom to take over the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom to take over the existing role of the law lordsexisting role of the law lords

Most judges are not MPs and few are active in party Most judges are not MPs and few are active in party politics; most were educated in public schools and the politics; most were educated in public schools and the Oxbridge connectionOxbridge connection