United Kingdom Vocab 2

Alternative Voting(AV)

Method of election/voting in which voters rank candidates in order of preference.

British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC)

A public service broadcaster in the United Kingdom. It produces news coverage, entertainment programs, and educational content across various media platforms, including television, radio, and online.

British National Party

Is a far-right, fascist political party in the United Kingdom, against immigration into the UK.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

The government's chief finance minister and one of the most senior members of the Cabinet. The British Cabinet minister responsible for financial and economic matters and in charge of the Treasury.

Collective Responsibility

A principle in parliamentary systems where all members of the governing party or coalition are collectively accountable for decisions made by the government. This means that if one member disagrees with a decision, they are still expected to publicly support it.

Conservative Party

Britain's most important right-of-center party, in power more often than not for two centuries. A political party in the United Kingdom that generally supports traditional values, limited government intervention, and free-market capitalism.

Devolution

The transfer of power and decision-making authority from a central government to regional or local governments within a country.

Euroskeptics

People opposed to the UK's membership in the EU and the expansion of the EU's power. Those who oppose or are critical of the EU and its methodologies.

First-Past-the-Post Voting System

Voting system where the candidate who receives the most votes is elected and there is no need for a majority nor an element of proportional representation.

Good Friday Agreement

A major political development that was aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland known as 'The Troubles.' This agreement established a devolved government and created frameworks for cooperation between Northern Ireland and both the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain, significantly reducing violence and addressing the political issues stemming from centuries of sectarian conflict.

Labour Party

British working-class political party established in the 1890s and dedicated to reforms and a peaceful transition to socialism, one of the two major political parties in the United Kingdom, traditionally representing the interests of the working class.

Liberal Democrats

A political party that are a centrist UK party that champions progressive social policies, environmental sustainability, and civil liberties while promoting a moderate economic approach.

Noblese Oblige

The moral obligation of those who are privileged or in positions of power to act with generosity and responsibility towards those who are less fortunate.

Plaid Cymru

A centre-left to left-wing, Welsh nationalist political party in Wales, committed to Welsh independence from the United Kingdom.

Quangos

An organisation to which a government has devolved power, but which is still partly controlled and/or financed by government bodies.

Referendum

A direct vote in which the entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular issue or policy. It allows citizens to directly participate in the decision making process by showing their opinion on specific questions.

Scottish National Party

A political party in Scotland that advocates for Scottish independence and promotes social democracy.

Sinn Fein

An Irish republican and democratic socialist political party active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

UK Independence Party (UKIP)

Eurosceptic, conservative, right-wing, populist political party in the UK. It called for the UK's exit from the European Union (when Nigel Farage was leader). It promotes a British unionist and nationalist agenda, encouraging a unitary British identity in opposition to growing Welsh and Scottish nationalisms. It has also placed emphasis on lowering immigration, rejecting multiculturalism, and opposing what it calls the "Islamification" of Britain.