The United Kingdom Government

The United Kingdom Government

The United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy - based on universal suffrage and a constitutional monarchy. This means that elected representatives govern and the hereditary Monarch does not play a role in the day to day running of the state. This system of government is not based on a formal written constitution, but has evolved gradually over many centuries. The monarchy is the oldest institution in the UK system of Government - it can be traced back over a thousand years - and the Houses of Parliament are one of the oldest representative assemblies in the world. The long-term programme of decentralising power, opening up government and reforming Parliament is under way. More recent developments include devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The United Kingdom does not have a 'written constitution' set out in any one document. The United Kingdom Constitution is formed partly by statute, partly by common law and partly by precepts and practices, known as conventions, which have never been codified but, nevertheless, have a binding force as rules of the constitution. Because the constitution is not contained in any document, because it can be altered by the passing of an Act of Parliament, it can the more readily be adapted to changing political conditions and ideas.

The organs of government in the UK constitution are readily distinguishable although their functions often intermingle and overlap. They are: 1. the legislature, the UK Parliament, which is the highest authority in the land; 2. the executive comprises the Government (members of the Cabinet and other ministers responsible for policies); government departments and agencies, in charge of domestic matters in England and UK-wide issues such as defence and monetary; local authorities, which look after many local services; public corporations, charged with running certain nationalized industries; independent bodies which regulate the privatized industries; and other bodies subject to ministerial control; and 3- the judiciary which determines common law and interprets statutes, and is independent of both the legislature and the executive.

Parliament

Parliament is the supreme legislative authority. Its three elements, the Queen, the House of Lords and the elected House of Commons, are outwardly separate and are constituted on different principles. They meet together only on occasions of symbolic significance such as the State opening of Parliament when the Commons are summoned by the Queen to the House of Lords. As a law-making organ of State, however, parliament is a corporate body and cannot legislate without the concurrence of all its parts. The agreement of the Sovereign is given as a matter of course.

Despite devolution, Parliament at Westminster can legislate for the UK as a whole and keeps powers to legislate for any parts of it separately. However, by convention it will not normally legislate on devolved matters without the agreement of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh and Northern Irish Assemblies.

As there are no legal restraints imposed by a written constitution, Parliament may legislate as it pleases, as long as the UK meets its obligations as a member of the European Union. It can make, abolish or change any law; it can destroy established conventions or turn a convention into law. It can also prolong its own life beyond the normal period of five years without consulting the electorate. In other words, Parliament is sovereign.

In practice, however, Parliament does not assert itself in this way. Its members work within the common law and normally act according to precedent. The House of Commons is directly responsible to the electorate, and, increasingly during the 20th century, the House of Lords recognized the supremacy of the elected chamber. The main functions of Parliament are: to pass laws, to provide (by voting for taxation) the means of carrying on the work, of government; to scrutinize government policy and administration, including proposals for expenditure; and to debate the major issues of the day.

In carrying these out, Parliament helps to bring the relevant facts and issues to the attention of the electorate. By custom, Parliament is also informed before important international treaties and agreements are ratified. The making of treaties is, however, a royal prerogative carried out on the advice of the Government and does not need parliamentary approval.

A Parliament has a maximum duration of five years, but is often dissolved and a general election held before the end of the term. Dissolution and writs for a general election are ordered by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The life of a Parliament is divided into sessions. Each usually lasts for one year - beginning and ending most often in October or November. At the start of each session the Queen's speech to Parliament outlines the Government's broad policies and proposed legislative programme. Each session is ended by prorogation. Prorogation terminates nearly all parliamentary business: bills which have not been enacted by the end of the session are lost.

Дата добавления: 2015-08-28