概况 chapter 3 UK government.pptVIP

CONTENT British Constitution British Constitution is made up of: Statutory Law (成文法) Common Law (判例法) Conventions (习惯法) 1.1 Statutory Law passed by Parliament example the Magna Carta (1215) the Bill of Rights (1689) the Reform Act (1832) the European Communities Act (1972) the European Communities (Amendment) Act (1986) 2.1.1 Parliament :makes the law Parliament the law-making body of Britain Strictly speaking, the parliament consists of the King or Queen, the House of Lords (上议院), the House of Commons (下议院) Queen Elizabeth II Born: April 21, 1926 Queen since June 2, 1953 Queen Elizabeth II is a “constitutional monarch” Although she is officially the head of state, the country is actually run by the government and led by the Prime Minister. Elizabeth II She reigns but does not rule! Theoretically, she is the source of all government powers: an integral part of the legislature head of the legislature, executive and judiciary branches the commander-in-chief of all armed forces of the Crown “supreme governor” of the Church of England （国教的最高首脑） More Mr. Speaker(下院议长) is elected by a vote of the House at the beginning of each new parliament to preside over the House and enforce the rule of order. He has more powers than the Lord Chancellor and rank only next to the Prime Minister. The Houses of Parliament 议会大厦(Palace of Westminster) 2.2.1 The Prime Minister—powerful leader head of the government the leader of the majority party in Parliament controls the Parliament 2.2.2 The Cabinet supreme decision-making body in the British government Cabinet members are chosen by the Prime Minister from members of his own party in Parliament. David William Donald Cameron2010.5.11- The Cabinet works on the principle of collective responsibility and individual ministerial responsibility Ministers responsible for their particular department (most senior members are the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary