Lesson 7 -Britain Political System英国政治体系.ppt

Every act of state is done in her name Every letter sent out by any government department is posted marked “On Her Majesty’s Service” All ministers of Government are appointed by her Every public official is her servant Summons, prolongs, and dissolves Parliament Concludes treaties and declares war Gives her assent to Bills before they become laws Seems to have unlimited power * Directly control the armed forces, the police, and their prisons * Official head of Parliament is the Monarch (The Queen) * Jack Straw is lord chancellor * Lesson 7 – Political System I: The Monarchy British Monarchy is hereditary Constitutional Monarchy began at the end of the 17th century when Parliament established its rights In a constitutional monarchy, the king or queen’s power is limited by laws of the nation After World War II Conservative Party and Labor Party have taken turns being in power Current Monarch is Queen Elizabeth II She became Queen in 1952 She is married to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh They have four sons The oldest, Prince Charles, is the heir to the throne Constitutionally, the Monarch seems to have great power BUT Practically everything the Monarch does is done on the advice of her ministers Everything has been decided in advance by the Parliament or the Prime Minister together with the Cabinet Every act of state is done in her name Every letter sent out by any government department is posted marked “On Her Majesty’s Service” All ministers of Government are appointed by her Every public official is her servant Summons, prolongs, and dissolves Parliament Concludes treaties and declares war Gives her assent to Bills before they become laws Seems to have unlimited power HOWEVER: Most power lies in the Prime Minister and his cabinet Lead the departments of the government in managing affairs at home and abroad Controls the armed forces, the police, and their prisons They make and carry out all of the important decisions II: Parliament Parliament cons