By Ann S. Michaelsen

Source. Textbooks for use in English Social studies vg3 Norway«Societies in Focus» Skifjeld, Rdgers, Markussen, Løken , Sandor, Huseby

«Access» Anthony, Burgess, Mikkelsen, Sørhus

Elections and Politics in the UK

The full name of the UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1927)

One of the oldest democracies in the world

Constitutional monarchy

No written constitution, no day of independence

Constitution based on different statutes, common law and practices which have evolved over time

Background

The legislative, executive and judicial branches are a mixture of old and new

Two important adaptions securing the powers of Parliament:

• Magna Carta (1215) marked the formalization of a balance between nobles and the king

• Bill of Rights (1689) It enumerates certain rights to which subjects and permanent residents of a constitutional monarchy were thought to be entitled in the late 17th century, asserting subjects' right to petition the monarch, as well as to have arms in defense. It also sets out—or, in the view of its drafters, restates—certain constitutional requirements of the Crown to seek the consent of the people, as represented in parliament.

1700 – the UK already had political groups and a parliamentary system of government

Constitutional monarchy

The Queen the source of power• Acknowledges the Prime Ministers

• Calls elections

• Head of the armed forces and Anglican Church

• Opens the sessions of Parliament

But: not real power• Follows the advice of the Prime Minister

• Last time veto used 1707/08

The monarch and her duties

The British Parliament is bicameral• The House of Commons (646) – real power

• The House of Lords (618) – can veto bills

Parliamentary system of government• The Prime Minister and his government must have the support of a

majority in the House of Commons

• Checks and balances – bills need to pas through both chambers

The British Parliament - legislature

Are held at least every five years in the UK

Two types of elections:• One for the British Parliament in London – general election

• Local and national elections for England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland

• England has not national assembly

Supreme court is final court of Appeal

General elections

646 Members of Parliament (MPs)

Each represents one constituency (vary in size)

The Prime Minister goes to the Queen and asks here to dissolve parliament – a new general election

Elections to the House of Commons

3 weeks of campaign ( at least)

Local party in every constituency has a candidate

Independent candidates too

Important debates on TV (not always)

An MP is expected to maintain very close links with his or her constituency all through a parliament’s life

Election day

Only one can win in every constituency

An unfair system?

What is a system of proportional representation?

Strong governments)

First to past the post system

Wigs and Tories (terms dates back to the 1600)

In 1920s Labour replaced the Liberals

Conservatives and Labour have taken turns at forming the British government

1980s the Liberals made a comeback, joining forces with the Social Democratic Party to form the Liberal Democrats.

Political parties

One-man constituencies makes it difficult to get elected in the Parliament in London

Smaller parties like:• the Scottish national party biggest party in the Scottish Election

• The Green Party of England and Wales has seats in the Eu Parliament

Hundreds of parties

Their role is to:• Pass bills

• Scrutinice the goverment policies

• Decide on taxes and public spending

Members of Parliament