3 British Political Institutions

nullBritish-American Society and Culture 英美社会与文化 British-American Society and Culture 英美社会与文化 外国语学院 兰素萍 李伟平 Section 3 Section 3 British Political Institutions 英国政府与政治ContentsContentsBritish Political InstitutionsBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKConstitutional MonarchyBritish ConstitutionUnlike the constitutions of most other countries, it is not set out in any single document. Instead it is made up of statute law, common law and conventions. (Conventions are rules and practices which are not legally enforceable but which are regarded as indispensable to the working of government; many are derived from the historical events. )The organs of government overlap but can be clearly distinguished. Parliament is the legislature and the supreme authority. The executive consists of: The Government—the Cabinet and other ministers responsible for national policies Government departments, responsible for national administration Local authorities, responsible for many local services; and public Corporations, responsible for operating particular nationalized industries or other bodies, subject to ministerial controlnullConstitutional monarchy King or Queen is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, head of the judiciary and temporal head of the Church of England Their position is hereditary Limited power – Prime Minister and his cabinet head the government of UK Current monarch – Queen Elizabeth II British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKEarly Life Education Marriage and family The Queen's working day Accession and Coronation The Queen's public life How to contact The Queen Image GalleryBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKThe Queen was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. At the time she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and her father, The Duke of York. But it was not expected that her father would become King, or that she would become Queen. The Princess was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace. She was named after her mother, while her two middle names are those of her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, and paternal grandmother, Queen Mary. The Princess's early years were spent at 145 Piccadilly, the London house taken by her parents shortly after her birth, and at White Lodge in Richmond Park. She also spent time at the country homes of her paternal grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, and her mother's parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. In 1930, Princess Elizabeth gained a sister, with the birth of Princess Margaret Rose. The family of four was very close. When she was six years old, her parents took over Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their own country home. In the grounds of Royal Lodge Princess Elizabeth had her own small house, Y Bwthyn Bach (the Little Cottage), which was given to her by the people of Wales in 1932. Princess Elizabeth's quiet family life came to an end in 1936, when her grandfather, King George V, died. His eldest son came to the throne as King Edward VIII, but, before the end of the year, King Edward VIII had decided to give up the throne in order to marry the woman he loved, Mrs Wallis Simpson. Upon his abdication, Princess Elizabeth's father acceded to the throne as King George VI, and in 1937 the two Princesses attended their parents' coronation in Westminster Abbey. Princess Elizabeth was now first in line to the throne, and a figure of even more intense public interest. Early LifeBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKEducationPrincess Elizabeth was educated at home with Princess Margaret, her younger sister. After her father succeeded to the throne in 1936 and she became heir presumptive, she started to study constitutional history and law as preparation for her future role. She received tuition from her father, as well as sessions with Henry Marten, the Vice-Provost of Eton. She was also instructed in religion by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Princess Elizabeth also learned French from a number of French and Belgian governesses. It is a skill which has stood The Queen in good stead, as she often has cause to use it when speaking to ambassadors and heads of state from French-speaking countries, and when visiting French-speaking areas of Canada. Princess Elizabeth also studied art and music, learned to ride, and became a strong swimmer. She won the Children's Challenge Shield at London's Bath Club when she was thirteen. Princess Elizabeth enrolled as a Girl Guide when she was eleven, and later became a Sea Ranger. In 1940, at the height of the Blitz, the young Princesses were moved for their safety to Windsor Castle, where they spent most of the war years. It was a time of austerity and anxiety for the whole country, including the Royal Family. But at Christmas time there was a period of light relief when the young Princesses put on pantomimes with the children of members of staff for the enjoyment of her family and employees of the Royal Household.British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKMarriage and familyShortly after the Royal Family returned from South Africa in 1947, the Princess's engagement to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten was announced. The couple, who had known each other for many years, were married in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. The event was fairly simple, as Britain was still recovering from the war, and Princess Elizabeth had to collect clothing coupons for her dress, like any other young bride. They spent their honeymoon at Broadlands, Hampshire, the home of Lord Mountbatten, and at Birkhall, Balmoral. Lieutenant Mountbatten, now His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the son of Prince Andrew of Greece and a great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria. The Queen has paid public tribute to her husband on several occasions, recalling his loyal support and service to the country. They have four children, and eight grandchildren. Prince Charles, now The Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the throne, was born in 1948, and his sister, Princess Anne, now The Princess Royal, two years later. After Princess Elizabeth became Queen, their third child, Prince Andrew, arrived in 1960 and the fourth, Prince Edward, in 1964. Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were the first children to be born to a reigning monarch since Queen Victoria had her family. Their grandchildren are Peter and Zara Phillips (b. 1977 and 1981); Prince William of Wales and Prince Henry of Wales (b. 1982 and 1984); Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York (b. 1988 and 1990); and The Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn (b.2003 and 2007), children of The Earl and Countess of Wessex. Family life has been an essential support to The Queen throughout her reign. The family usually spends Christmas together at Sandringham in Norfolk, attending church on Christmas Day. And in the summer of 2006, The Queen celebrated her 80th birthday by taking a cruise with all her family through the Western Isles of Scotland.British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKThe Queen's working day The Queen has many different duties to perform every day. Some are public duties, such as ceremonies, receptions and visits within the United Kingdom or abroad. Other duties are carried out away from the cameras, but they are no less important. These include reading letters from the public, official papers and briefing notes; audiences with political ministers or ambassadors; and meetings with her Private Secretaries to discuss daily business and her future diary plans. Even when she is away from London, in residence at Balmoral or Sandringham, she receives official papers nearly every day of every year and remains fully briefed on matters affecting her realms. In front of the camera or away from it, The Queen's duties go on, and no two days in her life are ever the same.British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKAccession and Coronation After her marriage in 1947, Princess Elizabeth paid formal visits with The Duke of Edinburgh to France and Greece, and in autumn 1951 they toured Canada. Princess Elizabeth also visited Malta four times while Prince Philip was stationed there on naval duties, and enjoyed the life of a naval wife and young mother. This way of life was not to last long, as her father's health was deteriorating. In 1952, King George VI's illness forced him to abandon his proposed visit to Australia and New Zealand. The Princess, accompanied by Prince Philip, took his place. British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKThe Queen's public life Much has happened over the course of The Queen's life. Television has been invented, man has walked on the moon for the first time and the Berlin Wall has been built and then razed to the ground. Her Majesty's life has seen many changes too, from fulfilling her role as Queen at the age of 25, to raising a family, to world travel on a scale unparalleled by previous monarchs.British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKHow to contact The QueenYou can write to Her Majesty at the following address: Her Majesty The Queen Buckingham Palace London SW1A 1AA If you wish to write a formal letter, you can open with 'Madam' and close the letter with the form 'I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty's humble and obedient servant'. This traditional approach is by no means obligatory. You should feel free to write in whatever style you feel comfortable. British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKImage galleryBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKImage galleryBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKImage galleryBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKImage galleryBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKImage galleryBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKImage galleryBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKImage galleryBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKThe Lords Spiritual of the United Kingdom, also called Spiritual Peers, are the 26 bishops of the established Church of England who serve in the House of Lords along with the Lords Temporal. The Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian, is not represented by spiritual peers. The Anglican churches in Wales and Northern Ireland are no longer established churches and are therefore not represented either. The Lords Spiritual normally do not vote on matters of law or state in the House of Lords, but they have done so in special cases, such as during the passage of the Parliament Act 1911.In the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the Lords Temporal are secular members of the House of Lords. The term is used to differentiate lords—who are either life peers or hereditary peers, although the hereditary rights to the House of Lords was abolished in 1999—from the Lords Spiritual, who sit in the House as bishops in the Church of England. Before the recent reform of the House of Lords, all peers were (potentially) members of the House of Lords, and all were Lords Temporal in this sense. The ongoing reforms limit membership in the Lords to life peers and a number of elected hereditary peers.The House of Lords is the Upper House of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is commonly referred to as “the Lords”. British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKThe Speaker The Speaker of the House of Commons chairs debates between MPs. The Lord Speaker The Lord Speaker chairs business in the House of Lords debating chamber. The Lord Chancellor The Lord Chancellor is a Cabinet minister and a member of the House of Commons. Government and Opposition roles Find out what Government and Opposition MPs, like the Prime Minster and Leader of the Opposition, do in Parliament. Whips Whips are MPs or Lords appointed by each party to help organise their party's contribution to parliamentary business. Leader of the House of Commons The Leader of the House of Commons organises government business in the Commons. Leader of the House of Lords The Leader of the House of Lords organises government business in the Lords and offers advice on procedure. Clerk of the House (Commons) The Clerk of the House advises the Speaker and MPs on the formal and informal rules of the House of Commons, and manages the Commons' departments and services. Clerk of the Parliaments (Lords) The most senior official in the House of Lords with administrative and management responsibilities. Serjeant at Arms The Serjeant at Arms is responsible for security and keeping order within the Commons part of the parliamentary estate. Black Rod Black Rod is the Queen's representative on a daily basis in Parliament. He is a senior officer of the House of Lords and is responsible for security and for the organisation of ceremonial events. Interviews Over the next year we will be running a series of interviews with people in Parliament.British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKThe Lords Chamber is the site of many formal ceremonies, the most famous of which is the State Opening of Parliament, held at the beginning of each new parliamentary session. In the House of Lords, members need not seek the recognition of the presiding officer before speaking, as is done in the House of Commons. If two or more Lords simultaneously rise to speak, the House decides which one is to be heard by acclamation, or, if necessary, by voting on a motion. Each member may make no more than one speech on a motion, except that the mover of the motion may make one speech at the beginning of the debate and another at the end. Speeches are not subject to any time limits in the House; however, the House may put an end to a speech by approving a motion "that the noble Lord be no longer heard". It is also possible for the House to end the debate entirely, by approving a motion "that the Question be now put". This procedure is known as Closure, and is extremely rare. Once all speeches on a motion have concluded, or Closure invoked, the motion may be put to a vote. The House first votes by voice vote; the Lord Speaker or Deputy Speaker puts the question, and the Lords respond either "Content" (in favour of the motion) or "Not Content" (against the motion). The presiding officer then announces the result of the voice vote, but if his assessment is challenged by any Lord, a recorded vote known as a division follows. British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKPowers of Lords1911年以前，除了按照17实际以来形成的惯例，上议院议员除开不干涉政府的财务之外，它享有下议院议员一样的权力。 但在1909年，他们拒绝通过自由党财政大臣David Lloyd George的预算案，因而引起了一场宪法危机。 上下两院斗争的结果是产生了《1911议会法案》，它不仅夺走了上议院到1909年为止长期名存实亡的财务立案全部权力，而且还限制了对其他任何议案只能拖延两年的权力。 1949年的《议会法案》把这个时间缩短为1年。在许多情况下，议案被上议院拖延了一年后，当它被第二次呈上时，不管上议院同意与否都将被通过。 上议院议员的权力虽然受到了限制，但他们依然还能发挥作用。上议院中进行的辩论都具有很高的水平，而且经常提出有用的修正案，最后都能被下议院所采纳。 一些没有争议的议案实际上由上议院来制定，这就减少了下议院的一部分工作量。 上议院具有特别的司法职能。它是上诉各民事案件与刑事案件的最终法庭，但是苏格兰的刑事案件是由最高法院负责的。British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKThe House of CommonsThe House of Commons is the Lower House of the Parliament of the UK. It was once far less powerful than the House of Lords, but is now by far the dominant branch where the real power lies. That is why when we say the Parliament it means the House of Commons.下议院的议员由选举产生，每隔不到五年的时间，就进行议员的选举。British Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKThe House of CommonsBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKThe House of CommonsThe Parliament of the United Kingdom uses committees for a variety of purposes, e.g. for the review of bills. A separate type of Select Committee is the Domestic Committee. Domestic Committees oversee the administration of the House and the services provided to Members. CommitteesBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKThe House of CommonsPowers of House of CommonsParliament – The Legislative (law making) BodyParliament – The Legislative (law making) BodyMade up of 3 parts: Crown House of Lords House of Commons House of Lords oldest part established in 13th century after the Magna Carta was signed House of Commons was later established in the 17th century Today the real power is in the House of Commons where the members are elected by the people of UKHow laws are made/ changed in UKHow laws are made/ changed in UKBill proposal --------- House of Commons or House of Lords  Bill discussion/amendment ------- usually by committee in both Houses  Bill vote (Simple majority)  Approval in other House (Simple majority)  Review and approval by other House  Queen must approve the Bill  Bill becomes the law Executive (ruling) BodyExecutive (ruling) BodyConsists of Prime Minister and Cabinet members Prime Minister is chosen from the House of Commons by the ruling party (the political party with the most representatives in the HC) Consists of Prime Minister and Cabinet members Prime Minister is chosen from the House of Commons by the ruling party (the political party with the most representatives in the HC) Consists of Prime Minister and Cabinet members Prime Minister is chosen from the House of Commons by the ruling party (the political party with the most representatives in the HC) Judicial (law-enforcing) BodyJudicial (law-enforcing) BodyThe UK does not have a single body of law for the entire kingdom England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own laws Trials are by jury who decide guilt or innocence Judges decide the sentence (penalty or punishment) House of Lords has oversight over legal system (Supreme Court as of 2009)nullCROWNPrime MinisterHouse of LordsHouse of CommonsCabinet MinistersBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UKBritish Political Institutions Government and Politics of UK1. What kind of institution is the House of Lords? What role does it play in British government? 2. Does the government of a nation shape the culture of a nation or