KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF THE UK
1485-1603: Royal House of Tudor. Henry VIII excommunicated by Pope.
Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Golden Age of exploration (Drake, Raleigh) and literature (Shakespeare).
1649: Charles I executed. Monarchy abolished by Cromwell.
1660: Charles II restores monarchy.
1707: Scotland and England united by Act of Union.
1976: Queen Victoria becomes Empress of India. British Empire in Africa and Asia at its peak.
1914-1918: First World War.
1919: Women win the right to vote.
1939-1945: Second World War
1940: Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister.
1945: Labour Government elected. National Health Service(NHS) set up.
1979-1990: Margaret Thatcher, longest-serving Prime Minister.
BRITISH MONARCHY
Great Britain is a monarchy, where the Queen of the country is not absolute but constitutional. The Queen is constitutional monarch, i.e. she governs through Parliament. The crown of Great Britain is hereditary. As a result of a long process of evolution the monarchy's absolute power has been progressively reduced.
The monarch has certain political rights and power, but he/she is only a formal ruler, for he does not actually govern. Government is the task of ministers, who are responsible to Parliament (or rather to the House of Commons.).
The wide theoretical powers of the Sovereign are seldom, if ever, used. In practice the King (Queen) never acts independently. Whatever he/she does must be done on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers.
When the Sovereign leaves the realm, Counsellors of State are appointed to carry out the chief official functions of the monarch including the holding of Privy Councils and signing of Bill passed by Parliament. The normal procedure is to appoint as Counsellors of State the members of the Royal family of age who are next in succession to the throne.
The sovereign (at present the Queen) can dissolve Parliament and call a new general election which she does on the Prime Minister’s recommendation.
The British Constitution prevents the monarch from making laws or raising an army without Parliament's approval. Equally, political stability of the country owes much to the monarchy. The Queen has the power to prevent any politician establishing dictatorship. Besides, she is above party politics and is regarded with affection and admiration by people of all parties.
Today the Queen is not only head of the state, but also an important symbol of national unity. The Queen and the Royal family continue to take part in many traditional ceremonies. In recent years the Queen has become a roving ambassador for Britain. Her visits to many countries attract considerable interest and publicity.
There is an opinion that the monarchy costs too much to the nation. Why not replace it with an elected president? Royalty earns much more for Britain than it costs. It's one of the greatest tourist attractions. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the first things tourists go and see. They entertain foreign heads of state, open new universities and factories, etc. If to calculate the increase in trade after a royal visit abroad, the nation evidently makes profit from the Queen's activities. In fact, the Queen and the other members of the Royal Family earn their salaries by hard work.
LISTENING.
1. "Britain Explored".
Unit 3. "In Support of Royal Families".
BRITAIN, MOTHER OF PARLIAMENTS
Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The constitution of the country, unlike those of most other countries, is not set out in a single document as a list of rules that the Government must obey. Instead it is made up of a combination of laws and conventions which can be altered or developed as a result of passing
bills.
The "unwritten" British constitution is therefore very flexible allowing to be "bent" to suit any particular need. The British joke says: "The British Parliament can do anything except make a man a woman or a woman a man”.
England was the first country to have a parliament. The first English Parliament met in 1264, formed by Simon de Monfort (a French nobleman). It was his idea to summon not only peers but also "commoners" in order to restrict the power of the monarchy. Originally, there were collected 2 people from each earldom and 2 burghers - to represent every city.
Parliament makes laws of the country and therefore has great power. The British Parliament consists of two Houses: the House of Commons and the House of Commons. Both chambers of Parliament arose during the Middle Ages. Members of one House may not enter the other. The exception is the day of the State Opening of Parliament. By an unwritten law the House of Lords is never referred to in the Commons otherwise than as "another place", since the Commons theoretically don't admit the existence of the House of Lords.
The Parliament Act of 1911 limited the duration of parliament period, if not previously dissolved, to 5 years.
Lexis to remember:
to restrict the power to dissolve Parliament
to arise (arose, arisen)
WRITE an essay (about 300 words)
“Why is Great Britain regarded “Mother of Parliaments”?
EXECUTIVE POWER
Executive power in Great Britain is entrusted by the sovereign to the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons, i.e. the party that wins the most seats in a general election. The leader of the majority party becomes the Prime Minister. He is "sent for" by the sovereign and asked to form a Government.
Thus, the first action of the Prime Minister on appointment is to choose a team of ministers to form his Cabinet. By convention, all ministers must be members of either the Commons or the Lords. In addition the Prime Minister has to achieve distribution across the country - every region is easily convinced it had been left out.
The Government is made up of around 100 people from ruling party. The senior members of the Government are called the Cabinet. It is the most important body of the Executive and takes all major political decisions about how the country is run.
The press expects the Cabinet to be appointed and the list to be published within 24 hours - otherwise it is taken as a sure sign of some sort of political crisis. Many world politicians are astonished at the speed with which the British Governments are formed and announced.
As a rule, the heads of the principal ministries always carry a seat in the Cabinet: the Foreign Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
The leading ministers stand together as a team under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. He usually takes policy decisions with the agreement of his Cabinet. Ministers are collectively responsible for government decisions and individually responsible for their own departments.
In recent years, partly influenced by the American presidential style, strong prime ministers have shown a tendency to take policy decisions on their own, but to do this successfully, they must later persuade either the Cabinet or a majority of their party to support their decisions. Prime Minister is able to dismiss any Cabinet member whenever he chooses. If a member is not willing to support Cabinet decisions, he usually resigns.
The Cabinet normally meets once or twice a week, presided by the Prime Minister, in the Cabinet Room at No 10 Downing Street, which is very near the Houses of Parliament.
* * *
Parliament has a number of means to control the executive. It is the job of Parliament to make sure that the Government is working properly and in the public interests. Any major decision of the Government has to be approved by Parliament. A wide range of Parliament committees question ministers before preparing reports on matters of public policy. Every Member of Parliament (or MPs), no matter what political party he or she belongs to, has to examine the work of the Government. Question time gives MPs opportunities to ask ministers questions.
The opposition, which consists of all those parties which are not part of the Government, plays the leading role in this control.
Among other things the Prime Minister can advise the Queen to dissolve Parliament, thus facing the country with a general election at any time.
Lexis to remember:
to elect election to win election to take decisions to approve decisions to support decisions to take decisions to dismiss a member to appoint
the Cabinet, a minister
to run the country
to persuade / to convince
to announce
ruling party
to be responsible for
to resign
POST-READING.
I. Questions to the text.
1. Who is the executive head of the Government?
2. Who forms the Cabinet?
3. Why is the Cabinet so important?
4. What is the approximate number of ministers in the British Government?
5. Where do the members of the Cabinet come from?
6. The holders of which offices are traditionally included in the Cabinet?
7. What are the duties and powers of the PM?
8. What is the Cabinet responsible for?
9. What is the relationship between the Cabinet and Parliament?
10. What is a member of the Cabinet supposed to do if he is not willing to support the Cabinet decisions?
П. Explain:
a) “majority party";
b) "the Cabinet acts as a team";
c) "the leading ministers";
d) "ruling party".
III. Comment on the following. Compare it with the situation in some other countries.
• "Many world politicians are astonished at the speed with which the British Governments are formed and announced".
• "When forming the Cabinet, every Prime Minister has to achieve distribution across the country - every region is easy to convince it had been left out".
LANGUAGE WORK
I. Vocabulary Notes
to convince a person of smth - to make him believe smth. to persuade a person of - to make him act.
e.g. Did your Doctor tell you how harmful smoking is? Did he convince you?
Did he persuade you to give it up?
A). Fill in the blanks with “to convince” or “to persuade” in the required form. Give reasons for your choice.
1. The conclusion of this speech... my father that my ideas were true.
2.1 was firmly... in my mind that she was guiltless of this murder.
3. During Elizabeth's illness many arguments had been urged to... my mother to refrain from attending upon her.
4. We... him that his method was inefficient but we could not... him to try our method.
5. Martin Eden could not... Ruth that he would become a writer.
6. Ruth could not... Martin to take a job as a clerk and give up writing.
7. Atticus could not... the Jury that Robinson was not guilty.
8. They were unable... Fatty to use a crib at the exam.
9. For centuries Outer Space seemed unattainable as the Moon. Now everybody is... that Space will be conquered.
B). Translate Into English using "to persuade" and "to convince".
1. Убедить его, что это опасный шаг, было невозможно.
2. Факты убедили его, что молодой человек невиновен.
3. Мне удалось убедить его присоединиться к нам.
4. Рудольф был убежден, что судьба хранит для него какую-нибудь романтическую историю.
5. Мартину пришлось долго убеждать работников редакции напечатать его статью в ближайшем номере журнала.
6. В начале он был убежден, что девушка специально придумала всю эту историю, чтобы привлечь к себе внимание.
7. Он ни в чем меня не убедил.
8. Мы убедили ее уехать из города не несколько дней.
9. Я убедил его оставить эту затею.
II. Use the following words to complete the sentences below:
Prime Minister majority general election
Parliament
resign
chairmanship
1. It is from the majority party in... that the... is chosen.
2. Parliament is to be... at least once every five years.
3. If the Government defeats some important questions it usually... so that a... may take place.
4. The... is usually the leader of the party that has a... in the House of Commons.
5. The parties which are not part of the government, are....
6. The meeting was held under the... of the head of the sub-committee.
III. Supply the preposition where necessary.
Question Time for MPs
... four days (Monday... Tuesday)... each week when the House of Commons is... session, the first hour (... 2.30...3.30... the afternoon) is occupied... questions... ministers. Everything happens quickly. Numerous questions ranging... 40... 100 are usually asked... the hour... those days. Questions are asked... local matters and... general policy. Only a few... them are unanswered.
The system... questions is not perfect and some people do not think it is very useful. Though all the members are entitled... ask their own questions, about half the members hardly ever ask questions, and... 50 (out... over 600) ask more... half the questions. There are people who like to play that particular sort... political game and get publicity... themselves... the local newspapers.
LEGISLATIVE POWER
The legislative power resides in the Parliament which, strictly speaking, consists of the Sovereign, the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
The two Houses sit concurrently. They are no longer unequal in authority, for the House of Lords can no longer impose its will on the House of Commons. There are no joint sessions, nor may a member of one House address a member of the other.
The House of Commons (651 elected members)
The House of Commons is the main law-making body. Although Bills can be introduced by either House, but all important Bills are presented first to the Lower Chamber.
The British people vote for a new House of Commons at least once every five years for which purpose the country is divided into geographical areas called constituencies. The elected MPs represent 651 constituencies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Once elected, a candidate is known as an MP,
i. e. Member of Parliament (the initials MP are placed after the member's name).
The House of Commons meets in a building called the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, in a specially designed chamber. This chamber was built to hold only 437 of a total 651 MPs. This creates a better atmosphere for discussions than would be possible in a larger chamber. So sometimes when very important matters are being discussed, members are very tightly squeezed onto the benches, many have to sit on the steps.
The officials of the Lower Chamber are the Speaker, who is the chairman of the House, and three Clerks, who are not members of Parliament. They can advise the Speaker and also take notes on proceedings.
The Speaker chairs every session of the Commons. He keeps the House in order. The Speaker is elected by the House, and though he belongs to one of the parties, he has to give up all party loyalties. He never votes except when the votes are equal. Then he gives the deciding vote. The Speaker is sitting in the
middle of the House with the long wig on. The front bench on the Speaker's right is for the Prime Minister and the leading members of the Government. That on the Speaker’s left is for the leader of Opposition and its members who have formed, or are likely to form, an alternative government.
The House of Commons is the main place where legislation and other decisions of government are criticized and assessed. Its work includes the following:
a) legislation: the House spends nearly half of its time making laws;
b) controlling finance: before the Government can raise or spend money it must have permission from the House of Commons;
c) scrutinizing the Government by asking questions, by holding debates and by committee work.
The House of Lords
The House of Lords (or the Upper House) is perhaps the most anachronistic part of the British Parliament. Its approximately l,ooo members are mainly hereditary peers - an unelected group of people who have inherited their seats in Parliament. But there are also life peers, those created by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. Life peers and peeresses receive their peerages as a reward for service, and their children don't inherit the title. Besides, the House of Lords includes the Lords "Spiritual and Temporal" - they are two archbishops (Canterbury and York) and twenty-four bishops of the Church of England. The business of the House of Lords is actually conducted by about 270 members, the remainder rarely or never attending.
The House of Lords shares in laws-making, the examination of the Government's work and in debating important matters of the day. This chamber is not as powerful as the House of Commons. It can suggest changes in laws, but is restricted to laws that have nothing to do with the finances of the country (for example, it cannot oppose a Money Bill, the Budget, the annual statement of the Government's financial plans).
Thus, the work of the House of Lords includes:
a) legislation: reviewing and giving further consideration to Bills sponsored by the Government;
b) examining the work of the Government by debate;
c) examining European proposals;
A) hearing legal appeals as the highest Court of Appeal in the country
Lexis to remember
constituency joint session to inherit hereditary peers legislation reward
POST-READING
I. Answer the questions:
1. Which chamber does the legislative power belong to?
2. How many members sit in the Commons? Why?
3. What is the present membership of the Lords?
4. What is an average daily attendance of the Lords sessions? Why?
5. Who presides over the sittings in the Lower Chamber?
6. Which of the Houses does the sovereign sit with?
7. Are the two Houses equal in power? Why?
8. What are the members of the House of Commons called?
9. What functions in Parliament are the Lords/the MPs designed to carry out?
II.Explain in brief the difference in:
> the Upper House and the Lower House;
> hereditary peers and life peers;
> the Speaker and an MP;
> Government Party and Opposition Party.
3. These words all concern aspects of politics in Britain. Use them to complete
the sentences below.
Parliament House of Commons MPs Government
House of Lords constituency session
1. The_______ makes the important decisions about how the country is
run.
2. Candidates for parliamentary elections are chosen by the respective party organizations in the
3. _______ is made up of various bodies which must approve the
Government's decisions, and has the power to force Government to change its mind.
4. The_______ is the place where Government decisions are criticized
and assessed.
5. Parliament divides its work into which usually last about
a year.
6. The_______ is the second chamber where changes in laws can be
suggested.
7. _______ represent one of the UK's 651 constituencies.
4. Translate the following sentences.
Ровно в 14.30 с понедельника по четверг, а в пятницу в 9.30 по всем коридорам Вестминстерского дворца, как и сотни лет назад, раздается возглас: "Спикер на месте", что означает начало работы палаты общин.
Палата общин - это нижняя палата парламента, но именно она имеется в виду, когда речь идет об английском парламенте.
Зал палаты мал - около 20 метров в длину и 14 в ширину. Члены парламента с трудом рассаживаются на зелёных скамьях. Но чаще многие места пустуют. Многие "эм пи" предпочитают этому залу еще более тесные рабочие кабинеты, комнаты для групповых дискуссий, а иные - многочисленные бары. Отсюда они могут следить за дебатами в палате по телевизионным мониторам и успеть в зал к моменту голосования. Кворум здесь - 40 человек.
Интересно, что в палате лордов, где заседают более тысячи пэров, необходимый для проведения заседания кворум... 3 человека.
A: Do you like those beautiful old buildings?
B: Sure. I guess they are the Houses of Parliament.
A: You are right. They were built in 1840-50. They were designed by Sir Charles Barry.
В: I hear they were repeatedly damaged by air attack in WWII.
A: That’s right. The House of Commons was almost totally destroyed in 1941.
Now it is rebuilt.
B: Is this area called Westminster?
A: Yes, it is.
B: Does the Prime Minister live here?
A: No, he lives at Number 10, Downing Street. In the Houses of
Parliament two assembles meet - the elected members of Parliament and the aristocracy. The aristocracy meets in the House of Lords, the members of Parliament meet in the House of Commons.
B: Is that true that the House of Lords has no real power?
A: Yes, that's true. Actually the House of Commons is the governing body in the country. Most of the Ministers of State come from the House of Commons, although there is no reason why a Lord should not be a Minister.
B: There is a wonderful sense of history about this area. Many of these buildings are several hundred years of age.
A: Yes, you are right. In London the contrast between the new and the old is very impressive.
PARLIAMENT AT WORK
A parliamentary session normally lasts from November to the following October. Each session of Parliament is usually opened by the Queen. The Chamber of the House of Lords is the place where all the three parts of Parliament - the Sovereign, the Members of the Lords and the Members of the Commons - get together. The Commons are "summoned" to the Lords by Black Rod, the Queen's Messenger. The peers sit comfortably on their benches
as the MPs stand awkwardly huddled together while the Queen produces the "Speech from the Throne"- a statement of policy - in which she outlines the main measures the Government intends to introduce during the next session and the Government's programme of legislation in the forthcoming parliamentary year.
But the title "Queen's Speech" is very misleading. It is not really the Queen's Speech at all, but the Government's. It is prepared for her by the Prime Minister and his colleagues and is read by the Queen. Among other things the Speech of 1996 included the following main issues: a criminal justice bill to change the criminal law, and a “green" bill to clean up the environment.
The Queen's Speech is a very important statement, and all the members must be in agreement with it.
* * *
Once MPs take their seats in Parliament their most important job is to participate in Parliament's main role, which is to make legislation. Every year Parliament passes about 100 laws directly, by making Acts of Parliament.
The day's work in the Commons begins with prayers. After that an attendant calls out "Speaker in the Chair!" The great Mace, symbol of the authority of the House of Commons, is placed on the table facing the Speaker. The House is then in session and its daily work begins.
The Speaker decides who is to speak. From his chair he can see all the MPs. The members wishing to speak stand up and try to catch his eye, for the order of speakers is not arranged in advance. The member who is named remains standing, and speaks from the place where he has been sitting. He must address the Speaker, not the House as a whole.
A law going through Parliament is called a Bill. When passed by both chambers and after receiving the Royal Assent (which is now just a formality, since the XVIl century the monarch has never refused assent) it officially becomes an Act of Parliament and part of the law of the land.
POST-READING
1. Answer the questions about the ceremony of Opening Parliament:
a) Who writes the speech?
b) Who reads the speech?
c) Does the speech represent Queen's views?
d) Where exactly is the speech made?
e) In which month?
f) At what time?
2. Read the list of events below and try to put them in order.
a) The Speaker of the House of Commons, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the main opposition party lead the other MPs to the House of Lords.
b) The Queen puts on her ceremonial dress and crown.
c) The Queen goes to the throne in the chamber of the House of Lords.
d) Members of the House of Lords, in their ceremonial dress, greet the Queen on her arrival.
e) The Queen reads her speech at 11 am.
f) The Queen sends her messenger to the House of Commons to call MPs to the House of Lords.
g) The Royal Family drive from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords.
h) The door is closed as the Queen's messenger approaches so he knocks on it three times and then enters.
4. Translate the following sentences.
Спикер - это "первый среди членов палаты общин". Его избирают от депутатов правящей партии и оппозиции. Он единственный подданный королевы, кто может устраивать официальные приемы. На нем парик и старинная мантия (a gown), в руках у него парламентская булава - символ королевской власти. Все как в 1694 году, когда члены парламента впервые получили право избирать своего собственного председателя.
Спикер следит за регламентом (time-limit). Он же следит и за "культурой дискуссии", требует, чтобы депутаты обращались друг к другу "достопочтенный депутат", и запрещает "оскорбительный язык".
Спикер устанавливает очередь выступающих, а суть выступлений, как у консерваторов, так и у лейбористов, определяет партийная дисциплина. Партийные "кнуты"(а whip) - это официальное название руководителей партийных парламентских групп - заранее определяют характер выступлений рядовых членов парламента.
Ослушаться "кнута" - значит отказаться от мечты попасть на первую скамейку, иначе говоря, войти в правительство или в "теневой кабинет" оппозиции.
THE GOVERNMENT and THE OPPOSITION
The political party which wins the largest seats in the Commons in a general election forms the government to hold the office for 5 years and is called a Government party. The party with the second largest number of MPs in the Commons constitutes the official Opposition, with its own leader and "shadow cabinet".
The name "Opposition" is given in British politics to the party out of power. The Opposition has a duty to challenge government policy and to present an alternative programme. They aim at gaining power at the next election, and therefore have to make sure that the party is properly prepared to govern the country. In fact, the opposition is supported by half the electorate as the alternative government.
Those from the House of Commons who hold posts in the Government are known as "front benchers", because they sit on the front benches in the House of Commons. The "backbenchers" are the ordinary members of Parliament who sit on the seats behind the front benches. They are able to exert some small influence on events by leaking advance information about the plans they oppose to newspapers.
to exert (influence, pressure) to govern to gain power
Exercise 1. Translate the following sentences into Russian paying special attention to the meanings of the word “OFFICE”.
1. For the typical ambitious MP the House of Commons is only a stepping-stone towards a ministerial office. 2. The full term of office of an MP is five years. 3. The Speaker of the Lower Chamber holds office until he decides to retire. 4. Members of the Cabinet are the holders of the most important offices.
5. If the Government is defeated in the House of Commons on what is considered a major issue, ministers remain in office after Parliament is dissolved until new ministers are appointed. 6. In 1924, for the first time in the history of British politics, a Labour Government took office. 7. Certain offices always carry a seat in the Cabinet. 8. There are about 20 minor offices in the British Government which are not important enough to have a Minister at the head of each.
Exercise 2. Give English equivalents of the following phrases. If necessary, revise the sentences from exercise 1.
Должность (пост), министерский пост, наиболее важный пост (должность), ведомство (управление), второстепенный пост, министерство иностранных дел, срок полномочий, правительство у власти, быть у власти, придти к власти.
Exercise 3. Practice questions and answers according to the following model.
• Which department IS the Foreign Minister RESPONSIBLE FOR? - He is responsible for the Foreign Ministry.
• Which department IS the Foreign Minister IN CHARGE OF?
• AT THE HEAD OF which department IS the Foreign Minister?______________
Ideas: The Home Minister, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Health, the Defence Minister, the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Food the Minister of Transportation.
Exercise 4. Translate the questions. Try to give answers to each one
1. Каков срок полномочий премьер-министра в Англии?
2. Какие министерские посты существует в английском правительстве?
3. Какие должности в английском кабинете считаются наиболее важными?
4. Какая партия находится сейчас у власти в Англии? Когда она пришла к власти?
5. Какие должностные лица, как правило, входят в состав английского кабинета?
6. За что отвечает министр путей сообщения/ министр пищевой промышленности?
HOW LAWS ARE MADE
Bills may start in either House. There are two main types of Bills - Public Bills and Private Bills.
Public Bills
These are the most important, as they are intended to affect the public as a whole. They are presented and sponsored by the Government, when it wants to put new policies into effect. Some bills can be sponsored by an individual MP. These are then called Private Member's Bill, by large they concern moral issues. Members from both sides of the House have the right to introduce private bills, although they often have to wait a long time before their turn comes round.
For example, recently Members of Parliament were involved in debates on making smoking illegal in theatres, cinemas and other public places. It was a private member's bill, i.e. a bill not introduced by a Cabinet member. MPs vote as they like with private members' bills. There are no party orders. “It’s an important part of our democracy”, the British declare.
The Murder Bill (Abolition of the Death Penalty) began as a Private Member Bill. These should not be confused with Private Bills.
These give particular powers or benefits to any person or body. They are intended to affect only one particular area or organization, not the whole country. The stages through which they pass are essentially the same as for Public Bill.
HOW A GOVERNMENT BILL IS MADE
Bills are prepared by a Department of State, such as the Department of Education and Science, the Home Office or the Foreign Office. At this stage, people who might be affected by the new law are invited to give their views.
Before a Bill can go through all its stages in parliament it has to be written down or drafted. The Bill has to be exact, so that no misunderstanding can occur and so it can be understood by as many people as possible. The next stages within Parliament are known as “readings” (although now MPs do have a printed copy at their disposal!).
First Reading
It lets MPs know that the Bill is coming up for discussion. If it is a Private Member Bill an MP brings it to the notice of Parliament. The first reading of a Bill is scarcely objected to, as there is no debate or amendments allowed at this stage. There is no voting as well. A date for the second reading is fixed.
Second Reading
It explains the purpose of the Bill. Supposedly, the MP, who introduced the Bill makes his speech, clarifying the proposed new law, bringing reasons for it. Some members can support the Bill, others may oppose it. The Speaker calls on the Members for discussion. After that the Speaker will ask if the Bill is to pass the second reading. Sometimes the House may be unanimous about the Bill. But very often they have to vote on it. In which case the Members leave their seats, and pass into the lobbies through different doors: "Yes"-door or "No"-door, to show what way they are voting. Two tellers on either side, count the votes as the Members go through. The Bill having a majority of votes passes this stage. After that it proceeds to the Committee stage.
Committee stage
This involves a small group - or committee - of about 18 MPs looking in detail at the Bill and suggesting amendments. This stage is present because of time limit in the House of Commons. Now the Lower Chamber is reported what the Committee decided.
Third reading
After the close scrutiny in the Committee the Bill goes to the third reading, which gives the House of Commons a chance to look again at the Bill as a whole. So the Bill is read a third time, then goes before the House of Lords.
Consideration by the Lords
Once the Bill has passed its third reading. It is carried to the House of Lords. This second chamber can be very useful: a different group of people can often see something in a different way. The Upper Chamber has the time to examine Bills and make amendments.
As in the Commons the Bill goes through a number of similar stages. The Committee stage is different: the detailed consideration is conducted in the chamber of the House, not in a committee room. Any Lord who is interested in the Bill can take part in the discussion.
If the Lords have made any changes to the Bill, it is taken back to the Commons. If the MPs do not agree with those changes, they send a note to the Lords explaining the reason. A Bill may go to and fro until an agreement can be reached. If the two Houses are unable to agree, the Commons can reintroduce the Bill the following year. Then the Lords have to accept it, so as a rule a compromise is reached quite early on.
The Royal Assent
If the Bill passes this process, it will be placed before the Queen for signature. When the Queen signs it, it becomes an Act of Parliament.
The whole process, from first reading to Royal Assent can take from a few days up to 11 months.
amendment: to suggest to make
to reach a compromise an agreement to be unanimous about
TASK: Briefly describe in your own words how a Bill goes through Parliament. Use the chart below as a guideline.
STEP 1: IDEA
The idea of a new piece of legislation may come from a number of places:
> interest groups > Government department
> professional bodies > MP
STEP 2: CONSULTATION
informal discussions take place with interest groups, the Treasury, MPs, agencies, etc.
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STEP 3: DRAFTING
the idea is written up in detail as a bill
STEP 4: PARLIAMENTARY SCRUTINY
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STEP 5: ROYAL ASSENT
STEP 6: APPLICATION
The Bill becomes a law
ANSWER: How efficient and democratic is the process of making laws in the British Parliament, in your opinion?
Exercise 5. Translate the following sentences.
В Великобритании нет писаной конституции. Ее граждане живут по законам, которые время от времени принимает парламент. Каждый законопроект здесь скрупулезно обсуждается.
Если это "первое чтение", то законопроект изложат в ознакомительном порядке, затем состоится "второе чтение". Это обсуждение деталей законопроекта под углом критики. После этого законопроект попадает в парламентский комитет, где с помощью экспертов в него будут внесены изменения и дополнения.
И, наконец, "третье чтение" - когда решается вопрос: принять законопроект или отвергнуть. Затем он поступит в палату Лордов, где его могут лишь как-то дополнить. Законопроект становится законом страны после того, как его подпишет королева. Но это уже формальный акт. С 1707 года корона уже не отвергает законов, принятых парламентом.
WRITE an article about the history of Parliament in your country. What changes have taken place? What are major areas of discussion today?
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
Members of Parliament (MPs) represent one of the 651 constituencies in the UK. British elections are usually fought between political parties, not individuals. Therefore, people who want to get elected to parliament need to be nominated by one of the main parties.
There is nothing to stop unconventional candidates from standing for election, however. A candidate has only to put down a deposit of 500 pounds and collect 10 signatures from residents in the constituency where he wants to stand. Such people never intend to get in parliament and never receive many votes. A candidate who gets less than 5% of the total votes loses his deposit. For somebody who is standing for publicity reasons, this is a small price to pay.
MPs do not represent a political party, they are elected to be the Member of Parliament for a constituency. The size of the constituencies varies, the average being about 60,000 electors. Anyone, male or female, who is a British citizen aged 21 or over may stand as a candidate in any constituency at a parliamentary election. MPs represent everyone in the constituency.
MPs will support a particular party. Theoretically they are not controlled by that party, nor do they have to vote with their party in parliament. Actually the present day members of Parliament have less power than they used to have. Now when an important bill is presented to Parliament, MPs must vote in line with party orders. They can(!) vote according to their conscious, or they can refuse to vote altogether. But if they rebel too often, they run the risk of being kicked out of their party.
There is a hazard that too much obedience to the party line may give too much power to the Cabinet and to the Prime Minister. Do you remember the remark of a recent Prime Minister who said: "Dogs have a license to bark, but if they bite I take their license away"! But "the dogs losing their license" don't lose their seat in Parliament, however, they know that at the next general election the party will not put them forward as a candidate. As a result their parliamentary career could be ruined.
A lot of an MP's work has nothing to do with voting in Parliament. There are hundreds of things MPs have to deal with in the day-to-day business of constituency life, such as housing or health problems. MPs are to help people and try to make sure they get their entitlements under the law.
Some MPs have an advice bureau in their constituencies where people can go for advice or to question them. Anyone who feels they have been treated unfairly by central government can complain to their local MP who will do their best to see that the problem is solved.
MPs have to work long hours and it is a stressful job. They don't do it for the money. The House of Commons publishes MP's salaries for 1992 as £30,854, i.e. about the same as a head teacher of a large school. Cabinet Minister earns up to £60,000 and the Prime Minister up to £76,000.
POST-READING
1. What type of people might stand for Parliament in Britain?
2. What other duties but debating in Parliament does an MP have
to perform?
3. Is it a job you would like to do? Why?
Exercise 6. Match a word on the left with a definition on the right.
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LISTENING
1. "Britain Now"
* PETER KELLNER, a political correspondent of "The Independent" speaks about the system of standing as a Member of Parliament.
Q: "Who can stand for election as a candidate?"
* ROGER STOTT, a Labour MP, speaks about the election process, explains what an MP's job entails.
2. The video "Inside Britain".
"House of Commons" (the final part).
GENERAL ELECTIONS
Policy in the UK is based on the principle that the people of the country hold ultimate power. They can exercise this power every 5 years, by voting for the person that they want to represent them in Parliament.
For this purpose the country is divided into 651 voting districts, each having one representative in Parliament. Anyone, male or female, who is a British citizen aged 18 or over, except criminals and certified lunatics, has the right to vote. Members of the House of Lords are also not allowed to vote. Voting is not compulsory. At the 1992 election only 77.8% of the electorate did actually vote.
There are two types of parliamentary election.
A general election is when there is voting in all 651 constituencies on one day. It may be called by the Government at any time but within five years of the previous one.
A by-election is held when a Member of Parliament dies, retires or resigns between general elections. Voting then only occurs in the constituency without a member.
Voting is by secret ballot. Approximately 3 weeks before the day of election, people in each area receive brochures from each political party, giving details of their policies. On election day, the voter goes to the polling station. His name is checked against the electoral register, and the voter is given a ballot paper containing a list of all the candidates in that area. The voter marks the paper in private. The paper then goes to a sealed ballot box. After all the votes have been counted in each constituency, the Returning Officer announces the result
To approve oppose rule determine control
discuss challenge coordinate examine
Vote on______ sign pass delay__________________ make form_____________ draft
A bill
Laws
Government policies the Shadow Cabinet the country
the executive power the government Government departments the Cabinet
Exercise 8. Build up some words by adding a suitable suffix.
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Exercise 9. Explain what the following abbreviations stand for:
MP EU
PM UK
UK
Exercise 10. Supply the articles where necessary.
By-Election in Great Britain
When... Member of Parliament (MP) resigns or dies,...by-election must be held to elect... new member for...empty seat. It takes... time to organize...by- election and... new candidate has some time to organize his supporters.
For example, when...great vote was taken in Parliament whether or not...Great Britain should join...Common Market...majority of... Conservatives voted for entry and...majority of... Labour members voted against. When... certain Labour MP voted for entry instead of supporting... official policy of... Labour Party, his electors said they no longer wanted him to represent them in...Parliament. He had to resign and... by-election was held.
THE MAIN PARTIES
The main parties in the UK are the Conservative or Tory party (right wing), the Labour party (left wing) and the Liberal Democrats (centre).
British politics have always been dominated by two major parties. First those were the Conservative party (the Tory) and Liberal (or the Whig) party. Later (1914) the new Labour party took the place of Liberals and since 1945 the Conservative and Labour parties have taken office by turns.
The central feature of the two-party system has always been that the leaders of the Labour party are just as loyal to the capitalist foundation of society as the leaders of the other party.
The CONSERVATIVE PARTY
The Conservative party goes back to the Tories, or Royalists, who originated in King Charles' reign (1660-1685). The Tories were the party that supported Church and King: the other main party at the time were the Whigs, who were a group eager for political reforms. The Tory gave way to its successor, the Conservative party, in around 1830.
The Tory party is the class party of big business, staffed and led by big business, promoting interests of big business, carrying out the policy of big business. In fact, the leaders of the Conservative Party obey the orders not of the mass of their ordinary members in the constituencies, but of the big businessmen, on whom the party depends for its finance.
The Conservative party believes in free enterprise and the importance of capitalist economy, with private ownership preferred to state control.
No picture of the Conservative Party is complete without taking into account the fact that all the great agencies of mass media - the press, films and advertising bodies are owned by the trusts, whose leaders are closely linked up with the Tory Party.
The most powerful medium of propaganda in Britain today is the BBC. It is in the big-business grip and entirely independent of Parliament.
The LABOUR PARTY
The only large opposition party in the British Parliament is the Labour Party. The party is the mixture of left-wing and centre-left politicians who believe in greater social equality.
In 1899, the Trade Union Congress summoned a special conference of trade unions and socialist bodies (Fabian Society, Independent Labour Party, the Socialist Democratic Federation).
The proposal for such a meeting had come from Thomas Steels, a member of the Independent Labour Party. The conference met in February 1900 in London. It stressed that a very broad section of workers could no longer rely on the Liberals to defend their political interests in Parliament. It was agreed to establish a distinct Labour group in Parliament ready to promote legislation in the direct interests of labour.
This date has always been looked on as the foundation of the Labour party. Though, the name "the Labour party" was adopted only in 1906.
Originally the Labour Party represented the working class, the poorer people that did not own houses or businesses. But now two-thirds of the population own the house they live in and millions of ordinary people own small businesses or shares in large companies. In other words, large sections of working class have become middle class.
At present the party continues to fight for the poor but at the same time it has to become more attractive to the middle class people.
The Labour party tries to be moderate in its policies and to concentrate mostly on problems that interest people from all classes. The Party believe that private ownership and enterprise should be allowed to flourish, but not at the expense of their traditional support of the public services.
The LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
There has been a Liberal party in Great Britain since 1868 when the name was adopted by the Whig party. The Whig party was created after the revolution of 1688 and aimed to subordinate the power of the Crown to that of Parliament and the upper classes.
In 1981, a second centre party was created by 24 Labour MPs. It was called the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Before the 1983 election the SDP formed an alliance with the Liberal party. As a result they received nearly a quarter of the country's votes in the election of 1983 and 1987.
In 1988 the Liberal Party and the SDP decided to merge and become a single party under one leader and is now known as the Liberal Democrats.
The Liberal Democrats believe that the state should have some control over the economy, but that there should also be individual ownership.
Lexis to remember
to carry out policy to promote interests to take into account to rely on smb
to subordinate the power to
medium of propaganda
Vocabulary Notes Politics -(1) the science or art of government:
(2) political affairs;
(3) political opinions.
e.g. Politics is much more difficult than physics. He is engaged in politics.
policy - a plan or course of actions; statement of aims, especially made by government, political party, business company.
e.g. home/foreign policy carrot and stick policy to follow a policy of non-interference
to account for - to explain, to give reasons for
e.g. He has been asked to account for his behaviour; an account - a description, explanation;
e.g. I want a truthful account of what happened, to take smth into account - to consider, e.g. His age is to be taken into account.
1. Choose and use.
policy - politics
1. Their... is to satisfy the customers.
2. Frankly speaking, he is not interested in....
3.An English proverb says' "Honesty is the best...".
4. It’s high time for you to change your... of marketing the goods only into selected regions.
5. Whenever they meet they always talk....
6. Mark Twain wrote many satirical stories about American....
7. The... of the new chief was to call for quarterly reports from
each office.
3. One of the main... of the government is to reduce unemployment.
2. Translate the following sentences paying special attention to the meanings of the word “account”.
1. В настоящее время наука может дать объяснение многому из того, что наши предки считали сверхъестественным.
2. Повестка дня содержит отчет о проделанной работе.
3. Когда я делаю звонок за рубеж, я принимаю во внимание разницу во времени.
4. Тебе придется регулярно отчитываться за деньги, которые ты получаешь.
5. На пресс-конференции космонавты подробно рассказали о своем полете.
6. Чем вы объясните эти неожиданные изменения в погоде?
7. За каждый пенни нужно отчитаться.
8. Я всегда чувствую себя неуверенно в его присутствии, не могу дать себе в этом отчет.
9. Чем вы объясните свое отсутствие (from) на лекциях?
10. Составляя программу встречи, они приняли во внимание пожелания всех гостей.
З.Маке nouns out of the given verbs and translate them:
Verb + (?) suffix = Noun
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to advertise
LISTENING
1. "Britain Now”.
ROBERT McLENNAN, an MP for the centre party (the Liberal Democrats), speaks about 3 major British political parties.
2. "Britain Explored"
Unit 4 (Part 2). "Minority parties in Parliament".
A Glimpse of British Political Life QUIZ
How many of the questions given below can you answer? Discuss your answers.
(1)
The first Parliament in Britain was held in...
a 1066 b 1264 с 1605
(3)
Each MP represents an area of the country. This area is called a a place b a constituency с a post
(5)
Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. She was the first woman PM... a since 1900 b since 1800 с that Britain had had
(7)
Approximately how many of the MPs are women? a less than 5% b less than 10% с less than 20%
(2)
How many members of Parliament are there in the Commons? a fewer than 500 b fewer than 600 с more than 600
(4)
Who is the head of the British government? a the Prime Minister b the President с the King or Queen
(6)
Governments are elected in a general election, where every is entitled to vote. It is held a every four years b every five years с whenever the government wants, but within a 5-year period
(8)
How old do you have to be to vote in general election? a 16 b 18 с 21
(9)
After every general election MPs elect one of their members to chair. This MP is called... a the Lord Chancellor b the Speaker с the Chairman
(10)
The Queen lives at...
a 10, Downing Street b 221 B, Baker Street с Buckingham Palace
(H)
When an MP dies... a his seat remains vacant until the next general election
b another MP takes over the seat с a local election is held to choose a new MP
(12)
Which three of the following are the largest British parties? a Plaid Cymru b the Communist Party с the Conservative Party d the National Front e Labour Party f the Liberal Democrats g Scottish National Party
(13)
Everybody knows that London is the capital of the UK and England. But what are the capitals of...
(1) N. Ireland (2) Scotland
a Edinburgh a Glasgow
b Dublin b Edinburgh
с Belfast с Aberdeen
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