UK Vocab

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66 Terms

1
Anglican Church
The Church of England, the state church of the UK, which separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century.
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2
Backbenchers
Members of Parliament (MPs) who do not hold a government office or opposition leadership position and sit behind the front benches in Parliament.
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3
Bill of Rights
A 1689 act passed by the UK Parliament that limited the powers of the monarchy and established certain civil liberties.
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4
Boris Johnson
Former Prime Minister of the UK (2019–2022) and leader of the Conservative Party, known for his role in the Brexit referendum.
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5
Brexit
The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, which took place on January 31, 2020.
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6
Tony Blair
Former Prime Minister of the UK (1997–2007) and leader of the Labour Party, known for his centrist policies and support of the Iraq War.
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7
Cabinet
A group of senior government ministers chosen by the Prime Minister to head different government departments and advise on policy.
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8
Coalition Government
A government formed by multiple political parties cooperating, often used when no single party has a majority in Parliament.
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9
CBI (Confederation of British Industry)
A leading business organization in the UK that represents the interests of businesses and employers.
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10
Collective Responsibility
The principle that all members of the Cabinet must publicly support all governmental decisions, even if they disagree privately.
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11
Collectivist Consensus
Post-World War II political consensus in the UK, where both major parties supported a mixed economy and welfare state.
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12
Common Law
A legal system based on customs, judicial precedents, and case law rather than codified statutes.
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13
Commonwealth
A political association of 56 member states, most of which were formerly part of the British Empire, promoting cooperation and shared values.
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14
Conservative Party (Tories)
One of the two major political parties in the UK, traditionally supporting free market policies, national defense, and social conservatism.
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15
Constitutional Monarchy
A political system where a monarch serves as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, sharing power with elected bodies.
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16
David Cameron
Former Prime Minister of the UK (2010–2016) and leader of the Conservative Party, known for calling the Brexit referendum.
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17
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)
A political party in Northern Ireland that supports maintaining the union with Great Britain and holds socially conservative views.
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18
Devolution
The transfer of powers from the central government of the UK to regional governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
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19
Euroskeptic
Someone who is critical of the European Union and opposes further European integration or membership.
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20
First past the post
An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, even if they do not have a majority.
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21
Fusion of Powers
A political system in which the executive and legislative branches of government are interconnected, as in the UK Parliament.
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22
Good Friday Agreement
A 1998 peace agreement that helped end the conflict in Northern Ireland by creating a devolved government and establishing cooperation between the Republic of Ireland and the UK.
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23
Gradualism
The belief that political change should happen slowly and incrementally rather than through radical transformation.
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24
Great Reform Act
The 1832 law that reformed the electoral system in Britain by extending the franchise to more voters and redistributing seats in Parliament.
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25
Greater London Assembly
The elected body responsible for scrutinizing the actions of the Mayor of London and developing policies for Greater London.
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26
House of Commons
The lower house of the UK Parliament, made up of elected Members of Parliament (MPs), where most legislative work occurs.
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27
House of Lords
The upper house of the UK Parliament, composed of appointed and hereditary members, with a more limited role in the legislative process.
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28

Keir Starmer

Current Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, since 2020.

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29

Labour Party

One of the major political parties in the UK, traditionally supporting social justice, workers' rights, and the welfare state.

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30
Leader of the Opposition
The head of the largest party not in government in the UK Parliament, responsible for critiquing government policies.
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31
Liberal Democratic Party
A centrist political party in the UK advocating for social liberalism, civil rights, and electoral reform.
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32
Liz Truss
Former Prime Minister of the UK (2022), serving for a brief period and known for controversial economic policies.
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33
Maastricht Treaty
The 1992 treaty that established the European Union and laid the foundation for the euro currency.
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34
Magna Carta
A 1215 document that limited the power of the English monarch and established certain legal rights for English subjects.
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35
Margaret Thatcher
Former Prime Minister of the UK (1979–1990) and leader of the Conservative Party, known for free-market policies and privatization.
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36
MP (Member of Parliament)
An individual elected to represent a constituency in the House of Commons in the UK Parliament.
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37
NEDC (National Economic Development Council)
A now-defunct UK council that promoted economic planning and cooperation between government, business, and labor unions.
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38
NHS (National Health Service)
The publicly funded healthcare system in the UK, providing free or low-cost healthcare services to residents.
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39
Nigel Farage
A British politician known for leading the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and advocating for Brexit.
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40
Nicola Sturgeon
Former First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), advocating for Scottish independence.
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41
Noblesse Oblige
The concept that those with privilege, especially the nobility, have a responsibility to act generously and charitably toward those less fortunate.
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42
Parliamentary Democracy
A system of government where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature (Parliament), and both branches are interconnected.
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43
Parliamentary Party
The elected members of a political party who sit in the UK Parliament.
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44
Parliamentary Supremacy
The principle that Parliament is the supreme legal authority in the UK and can create or end any law.
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45
Plaid Cymru
A Welsh political party advocating for Welsh independence and the promotion of Welsh language and culture.
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46
Powers of the Crown
The traditional prerogatives and powers held by the British monarch, such as appointing ministers and issuing royal pardons.
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47
Prime Minister
The head of government in the UK, responsible for running the government and overseeing the Cabinet.
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48
Privatization
The process of transferring ownership of public services or assets from the government to private companies.
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49
Quango (Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organization)
A semi-public body in the UK that operates independently of the government but is still funded or regulated by it.
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50
Question Time
A period during parliamentary sessions where MPs question the Prime Minister and other ministers about government policies and actions.
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51
Reform UK
A political party in the UK, previously known as the Brexit Party, focusing on further political reform and reducing government bureaucracy.
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52

Rishi Sunak

Former Prime Minister of the UK, leader of the Conservative Party, and former Chancellor of the Exchequer.

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53
Sadiq Khan
Current Mayor of London and member of the Labour Party, known for his work on transportation and housing policies.
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54
Scottish National Party (SNP)
A political party in Scotland that advocates for Scottish independence and operates within the devolved Scottish Parliament.
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55
Shadow Cabinet
The opposition party's alternative to the Cabinet, with members assigned to scrutinize and challenge the policies of their counterparts in government.
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56
Single Member District/Plurality
An electoral system in which one representative is elected per district, and the candidate with the most votes wins.
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57
Supreme Court
The highest court in the UK, responsible for interpreting laws and ensuring they align with the constitution.
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58
Thatcherite
Refers to the political ideology of Margaret Thatcher, characterized by free-market policies, reducing the role of the state, and privatization.
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59
Third Way
A centrist political ideology that blends elements of the left and right, often associated with Tony Blair’s leadership of the Labour Party.
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60
TUC (Trade Union Congress)
A national federation of trade unions in the UK, representing the collective interests of millions of workers.
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61
Unitary
A system of government in which a single central government holds most of the power, with limited powers delegated to regional authorities.
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62
United Kingdom
A country made up of four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
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63
Vote of no Confidence
A parliamentary vote that, if passed, signifies that the government no longer has the support of the majority, often leading to its resignation.
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64
Welfare State
A government that plays a key role in providing social security, healthcare, education, and financial assistance to its citizens.
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65
Whitehall
A term used to refer to the UK government’s administrative offices, located in Whitehall, London.
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66
Whip
A party official responsible for ensuring party discipline, managing MPs' votes, and ensuring attendance during key votes.
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