The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy.
A constitutional monarchy has either a king or a queen as its Head of State, but the power of the monarch is limited by the countrys constitution. In practice, the monarch reigns but does not rule. The legal authority is given to Parliament (the passing of acts), and executive authority (the carrying out of laws) to the government. The British form of government might seem a puzzling notion to many on discovering that Britain does not actually have a written constitution. The rules of the country have developed by all the laws and decrees that have been made over the centuries, by the way these laws have been interpreted in the Law Court in the past and are now reinterpreted from time to time. If there is enough pressure from the public for change, it is comparatively easy to change such a constitution.
Parliament is the most important law-making body of the British people consisting of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Sovereign (king or queen). The main purpose of the House of Commons is to make laws of the state by passing various Acts, as well as to discuss current political issues. The House sits for five days each week. Each sitting starts in the afternoon and may go on throughout the night. The House sits for about 175 days in the year and has a maximum term of five years.
The House of Lords, the upper house of the British Parliament, consists of over 1000 non-elected members (all peers and peeresses, certain clergy of the Church of England, some judges).The work of the House of Lords is largely complementary to that of the House of Commons, and includes examining and revising bills from the Commons, and discussing important matters which the Commons cannot find time to debate. The House of Lords does not have the same power as the House of Commons. It can pass Bills sent to it from the House of Commons, amend Bills and send them back to the Commons for approval, delay Bills for a limited time, start its own Bills, but it must send them to the Commons for approval.
The Queen is a symbol of Britain. The present Sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II. She is the Centre of much of the nations ceremonial and by ancient tradition, the leader of society. Royal duties include visiting many parts of the UK each year to encourage scientific, industrial, artistic and charitable works of national importance, paying state visits to foreign countries.
The UK is governed by the Government a body of ministers who are responsible for the administration affairs. The ministers are the leading members of the political party which wins a majority of seats in Parliament. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Queen. All other Ministers are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Comprehension
6. Match up the following half sentences.
| 1. Unlike the USA, France and many Commonwealth countries | a) the immunity is not shared by other members of the royal family. |
| 2. The main purpose of the House of Commons is to make laws by passing Acts of Parliament | b) and distinguished men and women who have been made peers and peeresses for their life time. |
| 3. The Speaker of the House of Commons is not a Minister nor a member of any political party | c) the British constitution has not been assembled into a single document. |
| 4. In law the Queen as a private person can do no wrong, she is immune from civil or criminal proceedings | d) men and women over 18 have a vote. They have the right to elect a representative to Parliament. Voting is not compulsory. |
| 5. Parliament consists of three elements the Monarchy, the House of Commons and the House of Lords | e) they meet together only on Occasions of ceremonial significance, such as the state opening of Parliament. |
| 6. The House of Lords consists of 1000 Members. It includes all peers and peeresses who have inherited their titles | f) he is a member of Parliament, representing constituency and the constituents interests. |
| 7. Britain is a democracy | g) as well as to discuss current political issues |
Vocabulary
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7. Find words in the text which mean the following.
1. A situation or subject that is being dealt with or considered; a matter.
2. A person who has a high social position and any of a range of titles.
3. A country which has a king or queen.
4. A law or formal decision made by parliament or other group of elected law makers.
5. A system of giving money, food or help free to those who are in need because they are ill, poor or homeless.
6. Someone in a high position, who makes decision and acts according to them.
7. A person or people who have the moral and legal right or ability to control or a group of people with official responsibility for a particular area of activity.
Reading
8. Read and insert the following words in the gaps in the text below.
| a) undergraduates; b) part-time; c) core; d) tutorials; e) governors; f) National Curriculum; g) grant; h) full-time; j) charge; k) tutor; l) postgraduates |
