The Development of British Democracy
In this chapter
Overview of the UK's Parliament
The UK is a parliamentary democracy with the monarch as the head of state. In this democratic
system,
various institutions play a role, and individuals can actively participate in the democratic
process.
Democracy allows the entire adult population to have a say in the government. This can be achieved
through direct voting or by choosing representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
British Goverment in the early 19th Century
In the early 19th century, Britain did not have the democracy we see today. Voting rights were
limited
to a small group of men who were over 21 years old and owned a certain amount of property. Elections
were held to select Members of Parliament (MPs), but the franchise was restricted.
However, over the course of the 19th century, the franchise expanded, allowing more people to vote.
Political parties began to involve ordinary men and women as members, contributing to a more
inclusive
democratic process.
In the 1830s and 1840s, a group called the Chartists campaigned for political reform in the UK. They
advocated for six changes, which included granting every man the right to vote, annual elections,
equal
representation in all regions, secret ballots, allowing any man to stand as a Member of Parliament
(MP),
and paying MPs for their service.
Although the Chartist movement was initially seen as a failure, by 1918, most of their proposed
reforms
had been implemented. Voting rights were extended to women over 30, and in 1928, to men and women
over
21. In 1969, the voting age was further reduced to 18 for both men and women.
The British constitution
The British constitution refers to the principles and institutions that govern the country. Unlike
countries like the United States or France, the UK does not have a single written constitution.
Instead,
its constitution is described as "unwritten." This is because the UK's institutions and laws have
developed over a long period of time without a revolutionary overhaul of the system. Some people
argue
for a written constitution, while others believe that an unwritten constitution provides more
flexibility and effective governance.
The UK government is composed of several different parts. The main ones include:
- The monarchy: The monarch is the head of state in the UK, representing the continuity and tradition of the country.
- Parliament: Parliament consists of two houses - the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is made up of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected by the public, while the House of Lords is composed of appointed members, including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers.
- The Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the head of government and is usually the leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons.
- The Cabinet: The Cabinet is a group of senior government ministers chosen by the Prime Minister. They are responsible for making important policy decisions.
- The judiciary: The judiciary consists of the courts and judges who interpret and apply the law. They ensure justice is upheld and disputes are resolved fairly.
- The police: The police are responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing and investigating crime, and ensuring public safety.
- The civil service: The civil service is the administrative branch of the government that supports and advises ministers in implementing government policies and delivering public services.
- Local government: Local government refers to the elected bodies and authorities that govern specific regions, such as local councils and mayors.
The Role of the Monarchy
King Charles III is the head of state in the UK and also serves as the monarch for other countries
in
the Commonwealth. The UK has a constitutional monarchy, which means that the monarch's role is
primarily
symbolic and ceremonial. The monarch appoints the government based on the democratic election
results.
The leader of the party with the most MPs or the leader of a coalition is invited to become the
Prime
Minister. While the monarch has regular meetings with the Prime Minister and can provide advice and
encouragement, the actual decisions on government policies are made by the Prime Minister and the
cabinet.
The King has important ceremonial roles, such as opening the new parliamentary session each year and
delivering a speech that outlines the government's policies. All Acts of Parliament are made in his
name.
Internationally, the King represents the UK and engages in diplomatic activities. He receives
foreign
ambassadors and high commissioners, hosts visiting heads of state, and undertakes state visits to
strengthen diplomatic and economic relationships with other countries.
The King provides stability and continuity as the head of state, even as governments and Prime
Ministers change. He serves as a unifying figure and a symbol of national identity and pride for the
UK.
The National Anthem of the UK is "God Save the King." It is played at important national occasions
and
events attended by the King or the Royal Family.
"God save our gracious King! Long live our noble King! God save the King! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save the King!"
New citizens swear or affirm loyalty to the King as part of the citizenship ceremony.
Oath of allegiance
I (name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true
allegiance to Her Majesty King Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.
Affirmation of allegiance
I (name) do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British citizen, I
will
be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty King Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and
Successors, according to law.
System of government
The UK's Government Structure
The system of government in the UK is a parliamentary democracy. The country is divided into
parliamentary constituencies, and voters in each constituency participate in General Elections to
elect
their Member of Parliament (MP). The House of Commons is formed by all the elected MPs. The majority
party in the House of Commons forms the government, and if no party has a majority, two or more
parties
can form a coalition government.
The House of Commons is considered more significant than the House of Lords because its members are
democratically elected. Most members of the cabinet, including the Prime Minister, are MPs. Each MP
represents a specific parliamentary constituency, which is a small geographic area within the
country.
MPs have various responsibilities, including:
- Representing the interests of everyone in their constituency.
- Participating in the creation of new laws.
- Scrutinizing and commenting on the actions of the government.
- Engaging in debates on important national issues.
The House of Lords
The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. Its members, known as peers, are not
elected by the public and do not represent specific constituencies. The role and composition of the
House of Lords have undergone changes in recent decades.
Prior to 1958, all peers in the House of Lords were either hereditary peers, who inherited their
titles,
or held their positions as senior judges or bishops of the Church of England.
Since 1958, the Prime Minister has had the power to nominate individuals for life peerages. These
life
peers are appointed for their lifetime and are often distinguished individuals who have made
significant
contributions in politics, business, law, or other professions. The monarch appoints life peers on
the
advice of the Prime Minister, and nominations can also come from leaders of other political parties
or
an independent Appointments Commission.
Since 1999, hereditary peers have lost their automatic right to attend the House of Lords. Instead,
they
now elect a limited number of representatives to sit in the House of Lords.
The House of Lords is generally more independent from the government compared to the House of
Commons.
It can suggest amendments and propose new laws, which are then debated by MPs. The House of Lords
also
scrutinizes laws passed by the House of Commons to ensure their effectiveness. It holds the
government
accountable and plays a role in representing the interests of the people. Some peers in the House of
Lords are experts in specific areas, and their knowledge is valuable in lawmaking and scrutiny
processes. While the House of Commons can override the House of Lords, this is not a common
occurrence.
The Speaker
Debates in the House of Commons are presided over by the Speaker, who is the chief officer of the
House.
The Speaker is a neutral position and does not represent a political party, although they are an MP
and
represent a constituency like other MPs. The Speaker is elected by other MPs through a secret
ballot.
The Speaker's role is to maintain order during political debates, ensuring that the rules are
followed.
They also ensure that the opposition has a guaranteed amount of time to debate issues of their
choosing.
The Speaker represents Parliament on ceremonial occasions as well.
UK elections
Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected through General Elections, which are held at least every
five
years. If an MP resigns or passes away, a by-election is held in their constituency to elect a new
representative.
The electoral system used in the UK is called 'first past the post'. In each constituency, the
candidate
who receives the most votes is elected as the MP for that constituency. The political party that
wins
the majority of constituencies forms the government. If no party secures a majority, parties may
form a
coalition to create a government.
It is possible to contact elected members, such as MPs, Senedd members (SMs), and Members of the
Scottish Parliament (MSPs), to voice concerns or discuss issues. Contact details for representatives
and
their parties can be obtained from your local library or the official Parliament website
(www.parliament.uk). Additionally, contact information for MPs can be found in The Phone Book
published
by BT. MPs, SMs, and MSPs often hold regular local "surgeries" where constituents can meet them in
person to discuss matters of concern. These surgeries are usually advertised in local newspapers.
Make Sure You Understand
- How democracy has developed in the UK
- The meaning of a constitution and how the UK's constitution differs from most other countries
- The responsibilities of the monarch
- The roles of the House of Commons and House of Lords
- The duties of the Speaker
- The process of electing MPs and MEPs in the UK
Study Materials
- Introduction to the Life in the UK Study Guide
- Chapter 1 - The Values and Principles of the UK
- Chapter 2 - What is the UK?
- Chapter 3 - A Long and Illustrious History
- Britain from it's Beginnings
- The Middle Ages
- The Tudors and Stuarts
- A Global Power
- The 20th Century
- Britain since 1945
- Chapter 4 - A Modern, Thriving Society in the UK
- The UK Today
- Religion in the UK
- Customs and Traditions
- Sport in the UK
- Arts and Culture
- Leisure Activities in the UK
- Iconic Places of Interest in the UK
- Chapter 5 - The UK Government, the Law and Your Role
- The Development of British Democracy
- The Government
- Who Can Vote in the UK?
- The UK and International Institutions
- Respecting the Law
- The Role of the Courts
- Fundamental Principles
- Your Role in the Community
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