The British Political Party System

The present political party system relies on the existence of organized political parties. For the past 160 years a predominantly two-party system has operated, and since 1945 either the Conservative Party or the Labour Party has held power. The Liberal Party last formed a government on its own in 1906 – 1916. The Social Democratic Party was made in 1981 and made an alliance with the Liberal Party in the same year. They formed a new party in 1988 called the Social and Liberal Democrats. Other parties include two nationalist parties, Plaid Cymru (Wales) and the Scottish Nationalist Party. There are a number of parties in Northern Ireland.

The party, which wins most seats (although not necessarily most votes) at the general election, forms the Government. By tradition, the leader of the majority party is asked by the Sovereign to form a government.

The largest minority party becomes the official Opposition with its own leader and «shadow cabinet».

The effectiveness of the party system rests largely on the relationship between the Government and the opposition parties. The opposition party’s aims are to contribute to the formulation of policy and legislation by constructive criticism and to oppose proposals when it thinks necessary. It should also be preparing the way for its own future success at the next election. In extreme circumstances the Opposition can bring the vote of «no confidence» in the Government and indeed bring the Government down.

9. Find the English equivalents to the following Russian verbs:

1) зависеть 2) выбирать 3) получать, добиваться 4) формировать 5) встречаться 6) быть ответственным за ч-л 7) брать на себя ответственность

8) действовать 9) уходить в отставку 10) признавать, принимать, соглашаться 11) быть в оппозиции 12) рекомендовать 13) обсуждать 14) становиться

10. Answer the following questions:

1. What kind of political party system is there in the UK?

2. What are the main political parties in the UK?

3. What does the effectiveness of the party system rest on?

4. What are the aims of the Opposition?

5. What can the Opposition do in extreme circumstances?

Give the summary of the texts.

SPEAKING

1. Read the following dialogue and translate the sentences in the passive tenses:

A.: Britain is a unique country where monarchy co-exists with such democratic institution as government the members of which are elected by the common people. And how does the monarchy interact (взаимодействует) with the government?

B.: Britain is run (управляется) by the government but its members are selected by the sovereign, who appoints them on the advice of the Prime Minister.

A.: And here the question arises (возникает вопрос): who appoints the Prime Minister?

B.: On the one hand (с одной стороны), as far as the law goes, the sovereign can choose anybody to run the government for her, but in practice, for centuries, she has chosen the leader of the winning party in the general election.

A.: You have used the expression “to run her government for her”. Isn't the government chosen to run the whole country?

B.: It’s generally so, but don’t forget we’re talking about England! The matter is (дело в том, что) that the official name of the British government is “her Majesty’s government” and the government members are called “servants of the crown”, not servants of the people.

2. Answer the questions on the dialogue:

1. How does the monarchy interact with the government?

2. The sovereign is superior only on the surface, isn’t she?

3. How does the sovereign appoint the members of the government?

4. Who usually becomes Prime Minister?

5. What is the official name of the British government?

6. What are the government members called?

3. Complete the remarks of the dialogue:

1. Britain is a unique country where…

2. Britain is run by…

3. And here the question arises…

4. On the one hand…

5. Isn’t the government chosen to…?

6. It’s generally so, but…

4. Play the dialogue in the roles.

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