The political system of the United Kingdom: short summary
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Here is Expatica's short introduction to the political system of the
United Kingdom, and some notable UK political parties of influence.
Are the islands called the United Kingdom or just Britain? And what
about England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – are they separate
countries?
These questions are often asked by bemused internationals, and,
depending on whom you ask, you will most likely get a different answer. The
‘countries’ of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have distinct
cultures and proud independent histories that identify them. Acts of Union
passed centuries ago brought these countries into one political union.
This union is what is formally known as the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland – which is often considered a bit of a mouthful.
The historical significance of the Union is important because it underpins
some of the political dynamics of the country and possibly contributes as to
why it has become so multi-cultural.
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The political system of the United Kingdom. Available at http://www.expatica.com/uk/about/The-political-
system-of-the-United-Kingdom_103179.html
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Norman Tebbit, once Member of Parliament, voiced a controversial
opinion in 1990 that suggested that a person’s origins were indicated by
which national sports team they supported.
If you put this to the test today and ask a Scot which rugby team they
support, their answer likely won’t be England or Wales. Such proud
differences are friendly, but the reasons for them stretch back across centuries
of historical conflict.
The politics in the United Kingdom operate within a ‘constitutional
monarchy’ similar to some other countries like Spain, Sweden, Thailand,
Denmark, Japan, and the Netherlands to name a few. Whilst the Queen is
head of state, the Prime Minister is head of government. Since 1999, the UK
government has shared executive powers with the devolved governments of
the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly.
Each of the United Kingdom parliaments or assemblies has elected
political parties.
In England, the most dominant are the Labour, Conservative and
Liberal Democratic parties. Meanwhile in the other regions notable parties
are: The Scottish National Party in Scotland, Plaid Cymru in Wales, and
various unionist parties and Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland.
The UK Parliament in London is at the heart of the political system in
Britain and is the legislative body for the UK and British overseas territories.
Parliament has two legislative parliamentary bodies, the House of Lords and
the House of Commons.
The House of Lords includes three types of members, Bishops from the
Church of England, nobility (British honours system) and Law Lords
(Judges). Its members are not elected and appointed by the Queen on the
advice of the Prime Minster. The House of Commons consists of
democratically elected Members of Parliament from various different political
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