The UK Government, the Law, and Your Role
The development of British democracy
In the 19th century, only men over 21 could vote.
In the 1830s and 1840s, Chartists campaigned for reforms.
- Every man to have the vote / Election every year / All religions be equal in voting / Secret Ballots / Any man be able to stand as MP / MPs to be paid
In 1928, men and women over 21 could vote.
In 1969, the voting age became 18 for both men and women.
The British Constitution
British Constitution is described as “unwritten.”
The Monarch - King Charles III is the head of the state (represents the UK).
- UK is a Constitutional Monarchy - The monarch does not rule but appoints the government (PM).
- Monarch has ceremonial roles - opening of new parliamentary session each year.
- All Acts of Parliament are made in the Monarch’s name.
King Charles III - Successor of Queen Elizabeth II
- Married to Queen Camilla (Queen Consort of the UK).
Queen Elizabeth II - reigned since 1952 (celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012)
- Married to Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh).
- Died on September 8, 2022.
National Anthem - God Save the King
New citizens affirm loyalty to the Monarch as part of the citizenship ceremony.
System of government - Parliamentary Democracy
Coalition Government - two parties join together to govern.
House of Commons (MPs) - All the elected MPs
House of Lords - Monarch appoints life peers on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- Hereditary peers lost the right to attend the House of Lords in 1999.
Independence of Government - House of Lords >> House of Commons
Power to overrule - House of Commons >> House of Lords
Speaker - Chief officer of the House of Commons (Politically Neutral)
- Elected by other MPs in secret ballot.
- Represents Parliament on ceremonial occasions.
General Elections - Every 5 years
- By-Elections - If an MP dies or resigns
- First Past the Post - The election system for MPs
Elections for the European Parliament - Every 5 years
- Proportional Representation -> Members of European Parliament (MEPs)
The Government
The Prime Minister - Leader of the political party in power
- Home - 10 Downing Street, central London (Chequers - houses outside London)
- Appoints members of the Cabinet.
The Cabinet - 20 Senior MPs
- Chancellor of the Exchequer - Economy
- Home Secretary - Crime, Policing, and Immigration
- Foreign Secretary - Foreign Countries
- Secretaries of State - Education, Health, and Defence
The Opposition - Second-largest party in the House of Commons
- Shadow Minister - Senior Opposition MPs
The Party System - Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election as an MP
- Independents - MPs who do not represent any political party
- Pressure and Lobby groups - Influence government policies
- Main Political Parties - Conservative / Labour / Liberal Democrats
The Civil Service - Support Government
- Chosen on merit and politically neutral.
Local Government - Democratically elected councils (local authorities)
- Fund - Central government + Local Taxes
- Ceremonial Leader - Mayor
- London has 33 Local Authorities.
Devolved Administrations - Wales / Scotland / Northern Ireland
Welsh Government - Local Assembly since 1999
- National Assembly at Senedd, in Cardiff (60 AMs) - Elections every 4 years (Proportional Representation)
- Power - Education, Health, Social Services, Economics, Housing
Scottish Government - Local Assembly since 1999
- The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, in Edinburgh (129 MSPs) - Proportional Representation
- Power - Civil and Criminal Law, Tax-Raising powers, Education, and Health
Northern Ireland Government - Local Assembly since 1998
- The Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont, in Belfast(108 MLAs) - Proportional Representation
- Power - Agriculture, Education, Health, Social Services
UK government can suspend all devolved assemblies.
Media and Government
Hansard - Official reports of Proceedings in Parliament
The UK has a FREE PRESS.
Who can Vote
Since 1928, the UK has a fully democratic voting system.
Who can Vote - Adult citizens of the UK (Aged 18 or more)
- Also, citizens of the Commonwealth and the Irish Republic live in the UK.
- Citizens of the EU living in the UK can vote in all elections except General Elections.
Electoral Register - Updated every 4 years in September or October
- Individual Registration - Registration system in Northern Ireland
Where to Vote - Polling Stations or Postal Ballot
Standing for Office - Adult citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic, or the Commonwealth
- Except - Armed Forces, Civil Servants, and Criminal Offenders
Public Galleries allow the public to Listen to debates in the Palace of Westminster in both houses of parliament.
The UK and international institutions
The Commonwealth - 54 members - No power over its members, but can suspend.
- Ceremonial Head - King Charles III
- Core Values - Democracy, Good Government, and the Rule of Law
European Union (European Economic Community) - 28 members
- Treaty of Rome - 25 March 1957
- The UK became a member in 1973.
Council of Europe - 47 members - No power over its members
- Give conventions - Most famous, European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom.
United Nations - more than 190 members - International peace and security
- Security Council - 15 members
North Atlantic Treaty Organization - Military Cooperation and maintain peace
Respecting the law
Law in the UK - Criminal and Civil - Applies to everyone (regardless of background).
The Police and their Duties
Police in the UK - Protect life / Keep the peace / Detect Crime
Chief Constable - Head of the police force - Independent of the government
In November 2012, the public elected Police and Crime Commissioner in England and Wales
- The Commissioner appoints the local Chief Constables.
To make a complaint - Go to the Police station -> write to the Chief Constable.
Terrorism and Extremism - Any suspicious activity must be notified to the local police
The Role of Courts
The Judiciary - Collection of Judges and the Courts - Interpret law and ensure fair trials
Independent of government
Criminal Courts
Criminal Serious Crimes
- Crown Court - Judge and Jury (12 members) - England, Wales, Northern Ireland
- Sheriff Court - Sheriff with or without Jury (15 members) - Scotland
- High Court - Most Serious Crime like MURDER - Judge and Jury - Scotland
Criminal Minor Crimes - Members of the local community without any legal qualifications except in Northern Ireland (District or Deputy District Judge)
- Magistrate Court - England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
- Justice of Peace Court - Scotland
Young Courts (Children 10 to 17) - Members of the public are not allowed.
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland - Youth Court (Serious Cases - Crown Court)
- Scotland - Children’s Hearing System (No Youth Courts)
Civil Courts
Civil Disputes
- County Courts - England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
- Sheriff Court - Scotland
Serious Civil Cases
- High Court - England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
- Court of Session in Edinburgh - Scotland
Small Claim Procedure
- England and Wales - Less than 5k pounds
- Scotland and Northern Ireland - Less than 3k pounds
Solicitors - Trained Lawyers (Citizens Advice Bureau gives information regarding them)
Fundamental principles
In 1950, the UK signed the European Convention on Human Rights.
In 1998, the European Convention on Human Rights became part of the UK law.
Equal Opportunities - In the UK people are treated equally and fairly
Domestic Violence - Serious Crime (Citizens Advice Bureau explain available options)
Female Genital Mutilation - Illegal in the UK
Forced Marriage - Criminal Offense (Forced Marriage Act 2007)
Income Tax
In the UK, people pay taxes on their income
- Pay As You Earn - employer collects taxes
- Self Assessment - Self-employed pay their own tax
National Insurance - Almost everyone who is in paid work (including self-employed)
- Used for State Retirement Pensions and National Health Services etc.
Driving
To drive a car - must be 17 years old and have a driver’s license (16 years for Moped)
Driver’s license valid until 70 years of age (after that, renew every 3 years)
If you have a car, it must be registered at DVLA and pay annual road tax.
- If your car is 3 years old, take it to an MOT test every year
Your role in the community
What you can and need to do:
Respect British Values and Responsibilities
Be a good neighbor
Try to be involved in local activities
How can you get involved:
Jury Service - Anyone aged between 18 and 70 and in the Electoral register.
Helping in School - Can support in activities, events, and children read.
- Governors and school boards (members of the local community) - Raise school standard
Supporting Political Parties - Canvassing (persuading people to vote for their candidate)
Helping with Local Services - for example, volunteering with Police, and Magistrate at local courts
Blood and Organ Donation - Give blood in Hospitals (takes only 1 hour)
Volunteering - Work for a good cause without payment
- Age UK - older people
- NSPCC - children
- Crisis and Shelter - homeless
- Cancer Research UK - medical research
- National Trust and Friends of Earth - Environmental
- PDSA - Animals
National Citizen Service Programme - Volunteer opportunities for 16 and 17-year-olds
Look After the environment - Reduce waste and recycle / Shop locally / Use public transport