Iw # 4 The state system of Great Britain

1. Read and translate the text in a written form.

Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy. It means that the supreme governing bodies of the country are the Monarch and Parliament. But the power of the Queen is symbolic. Everything is done in Queen's name. So her power is not absolute; it is limited in many various ways. The phrase "The Queen (King) reigns but does not rule" expresses the previous idea. The power of the Queen is limited by the Parliament, consisting of two Houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It is considered to be the legislative body of the country. The members of the Parliament are usually elected only to the House of Commons because the members of the House of Lords have a hereditary power. The seats in the House of Lords are occupied by nobility or aristocracy. The House of commons consists of 640 Members of Parlia­ment (MPs for short). Parliamentary elections are held once in every 5 years.

But in reality the whole political power belongs to the British Government, consisting of the Prime-Minister and other ministers: Parliament's function is to discuss, criticize, oppose.

All the ministers in the British Government must be appointed by the Queen, but in fact she makes the appointment on the Prime Minister's advice. All the ministers must be members of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. A minister may speak in the House he belongs to.

At present all legislation is initiated by the Cabinet, which consists of the heads of the most important Departments. The leader of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister (the Premier) is always a member of the House of Commons. He is usually the leader of the party that has a majority in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister is, while he holds office, uncrowned King of Great Britain. He lives and works in the official residence, No, 10, Downing Street; London.

In conclusion we shall name the three levels of power in Great Britain: the legislative organ of the UK is the parliament The executive organ is the Cabinet of Ministers and the judicial organs the Supreme Court.

Words and word-combinations

monarchy – монархія; a body – орган;

to govern – керувати; power – влада;

to limit –обмежувати; to reign - царювати

to rule – правити; legislative – законодавчий;

hereditary – спадкоємний; election – вибори;

to appoint –призначати; on smbs advice - за порадою когось;

a majority – більшість; to hold office - стояти у влади;

uncrowned – некоронований; executive - виконавчий;

judicial – судовий.

2. Give answers to the following questions:

1. What kind of country is the United Kingdom?

2. What is the meaning of “parliamentary monarchy"?

3. The Queen power is not absolute, is it? What does it mean?

4. What does the Parliament consist of?

5. Why are the members of the parliament usually elected only to the House of Common?

6. How many members does the House of Commons consist of?

7. How often are Parliamentary elections held?

8. Whom does the whole political power belong to in reality?

9. How are ministers in the British Government appointed?

10. Whom does the Cabinet consist of?

11. What are the levels of power in Great Britain?