CGAP - United Kingdom

Anglican Church

• Church of England

• Established Christian church in England and the Crown Dependencies

Backbenchers

• House of Commons

• Junior members who don't hold ministerial or shadow positions

Bill of Rights

• An original Act of the English Parliament

• Limits the power of the monarchy by creating a separation of powers → protecting the rights of citizens

• Establishes rights of Parliament

• Condemend James II

Boris Johnson

• Prime Minister of the UK from 2019 to 2022, leader of the Conservative Party

• Key role in Brexit

• Challenges with pandemic

• Various scandals → resignation

Brexit

• 'Britain' and 'exit'

• Withdrawal of the UKfrom the European Union (EU)

Tony Blair

• Prime Minister of the UK from 1997 to 2007 and led the Labour Party

• Modernized the Labour Party, appealed to a broader electorate

• Introduced significant reforms

• Third Way

Cabinet

• 20 - 24 members

• Come from parliament

• Testing ground for future Prime Ministers

• PM meets with the cabinet a LOT

• Hired by ministers + elected by PM → Hired by cabinet minister bc of some expertise→ White Hall workers

• Go further down the chain of hierarchy, the people are more likely to stay at their jobs for longer periods of time since they are being hired for their expertise

• White Hall - nerve center of executive branch

  • All the stuff that helps the PM + Cabinet make policy comes from here

  • Stay beyond administrations

Coalition Government

• Government formed jointly by more than one political party

• May form if there is no single party with majority in the House of Commons following a General Election

• 2010 General Election - Nick Clegg created the coalition between Conservative and Liberal Democrats

CBI (Confederation of British Industry)

Nonprofit organization that lobbies on behalf of businesses in the United Kingdom on national and international issues

Collective responsibility

• Government is collectively accountable to Parliament for its actions, decisions and policies

• Once a policy decision is made, all the members are expected to outwardly support it regardless of how they feel about it individually

Collectivist Consensus

• Idea shared by most Britons and all major political parties after WW2 which stated that the government needs to work to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor

• Creation of a welfare state

Common Law

Body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts

Commonwealth

Voluntary association of 56 independent countries, almost all of were formerly under British rule

Conservative Party (Tories)

• “natural party of government" - held power for extended periods

• Leaders are flexible and adaptable in their policies and positions

• Noblesse Oblige

• Maintains a well-organized structure with a focus on elite governance

• Mid-1970s reforms introduced more open procedures for choosing party leaders, promoting internal democracy

• Margaret Thatcher - became more ideological conservative, sidelining moderates

  • Thatcher resigned

  • John Major - struggled to appeal to the electorate and manage deepening party divisions

  • David Cameron - younger and moderate leader, aiming to modernize the party's image

Constitutional Monarchy

Government ruled by monarch whose powers are limited by a constitution

David Cameron

Younger and more moderate candidate from the Conservative Party

Democratic Unionist Party

• Unionist political party in Northern Ireland

• Cofounded by Ian Paisley

Devolution

• Transfer of powers and funding from national to local government

• Ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect

Euroskeptic

• Opposition to policies of the EU

• Opposition to the UK’s membership in the EU

First past the post

• Type of electoral system

• Used for the election of MPs to the House of Commons

• Candidate needs one more point than rival to win - Winner takes all

Fusion of Powers

A constitutional principle that merges the authority of branches of government, in contrast to the principle of separation of powers.

Good Friday Agreement

Agreement that Northern Ireland would remain in the UK unless the majority of the people of Northern Ireland decided otherwise

Gradualism

Gradual and slow shift to democracy from absolute monarchy

Great Reform Act

• 1832

• Gave men not in the aristocracy (working class) suffrage

Greater London Assembly

• 25-member elected body

• Opinions on activities of the Mayor of London

• With 2/3 majority can amend the Mayor's annual budget + reject the Mayor's draft statutory strategies

House of Commons (Upper House)

• Unelected, Appointed by PM 

• Different committees 

• Represented Anglican Church + Aristocracy

• Hereditary Peers, Religious Leaders, Life Peers (position until death), Crossbench - different associates with parties 

  • Some are cross-ventures - not associated with a party, unaffiliated 

• Could introduce NEUTRAL legislations, power to delay legislation up to a year - will still become a law after a year

House of Lords (Lower House)

• Elected by citizens 

• Hold government accountable and enact laws 

• Members of parliament (MP) - split time working in parliament, working in constituency (district), working in your party, lots of debating

• Make financial decisions

Keir Starmer

• Leader of the Labour Party

• Member of Parliament

• Focused on reforms to improve the justice system and public confidence in prosecutions

• Worked to shift Labour’s image towards a more centrist position

• Commitment to social justice and equality

Labour Party

• Established as an alliance of trade unions, independent socialist movements, and cooperative associations

• Center-left political party focused on social justice, workers' rights, and equality, advocating for a mixed economy and public ownership

• Clause 4 - originally called for nationalization of key industries; by the early 1900s, the party accepted the parliamentary system and democratic rules

• (1964-1970) - Led by moderate figures, the party aimed for a more centrist approach

• Started to shift towards the left → struggle to control increasingly radicalized unions

• Faced significant electoral challenges, with potential alliances between the Liberals and Social Democrats threatening its traditional base

Leader of the Opposition

• House of Commons

• Opposite parties leader, questioning, appoints members of party to be the cabinet system

Liberal Democratic Party

• Merge of Liberals + Social Democrats (Alliance) 

• Fell victim to first-past-the-post

• Difficult to maintain → different traditions 

• Failing at first - Paddy Ashdown 

  • Started to capitalize on dissatisfaction with the Conservatives

  • Cashed itself to Labour’s left issues 

Liz Truss

• Former Prime Minister

• Conservative Party

• Proposed significant tax cuts funded by increased borrowing → financial market turmoil and a drop in the pound

• Resigned after 45 days because backlash and economic instability

Maastricht Treaty

Created EU and shared plans for the euro → threat to British sovereignty 

Magna Carta

• John I made England into a papal fief & agreed to pay annual tax to Rome

• Upset the nobles → signing the MAGNA CARTA (1215)

• King must obey laws, prisoners are guaranteed trial by jury, and no taxes could be made without the permission of the Great Council (made up of nobility and clergy)

• End of absolute monarchy in England

Margaret Thatcher

• PM from 1979 to 1990

• Conservative Party

• Introduced free-market policies, reduced the power of trade unions, and privatized state-owned industries → reduce inflation but increased unemployment

• UK to victory in the Falklands War against Argentina

• Opposed the Soviet Union, contributed to end of the Cold War.

• Reduction in government spending and an increase in individual responsibility

• Polarizing figure

MP (Member of Parliament)

• Represent interests and concerns in the House of Commons

• Can propose new laws as well as raising issues that matter to party

• Split time working in Parliament, working in the constituency, working for their political party

NEDC (National Economic Development Council)

• Advisory body on general economic policy in Britain, composed of representatives of government, management, and trade unions

• 1962-1992

NHS (National Health Service)

UK government-funded healthcare system that provides universal health coverage to all residents

Nigel Farage

• PM from 2010 to 2016

• Conservative Party

• Implemented austerity measures, aimed to reduce the budget deficit, and introduced welfare reforms → decreased public spending but faced criticism for rising poverty levels

• UK’s involvement in military interventions in Libya and Syria

• Brexit

• “Northern Powerhouse” initiative to boost economic growth in the north of England

• Mixed approval ratings

Nicola Sturgeon

• First Minister from 2014 to 2023

• Scottish National Party

• Independence for Scotland, advocating for a second referendum → increased support for the SNP but faced political opposition

• Promoted progressive policies - expanding education, healthcare, and addressing climate change

• Criticism over handling of various political controversies

• Strong support among independence advocates and opposition from unionists

Noblesse Oblige

Responsibility of elite to less fortunate

Parliamentary Democracy

• Executive branch derives authority from and is accountable to the elected legislature - Parliament

• Ability of the legislature to dismiss the government on political grounds

• Regular free and fair elections, separation of powers, protection of human rights, and the independence of the judiciary

• UK's system

Parliamentary Party

Members of a legislative body who belong to the same political party and form a group that is separate from the party as a whole in the country

Parliamentary Supremacy

Parliament's can make or change laws without legal limitations

Plaid Cymru

Welsh nationalist party advocating for the independence of Wales and the promotion of the Welsh language and culture

Powers of the Crown

• Opening and dissolving Parliament and approving legislation

• King's Speech - outlining the government's policy ideas and legislative plans, government drafts the content

• Mainly for tradition

• Formally agrees to a Bill and making it law

Prime Minister

• Leader of the UK government and the party that wins the most seats in a general election

• Powers

  • Government Management

  • Responsible for appointing and dismissing ministers and other roles

  • Calls Cabinet meetings,

  • Policy Strategy

  • Finances + Budget

  • Chairs the National Security Council, oversees national security

  • International Representation

Privatization

Transfer of ownership of an industry from the public to the private sector

Quango (Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organization)

• Funded by the government

• Run by independent individuals

• Support a certain government interests

• Ex - Environmental agencies

Question Time

Opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to question government ministers about matters for which they are responsible

Reform UK

• Political party founded in 2020

• Brexit Party

• Nigel Farage

• Advocate for free-market policies, reduce government intervention, and promote reforms in governance and public services.

Rishi Sunak

• PM from 2022 - 2024

• Conservative Party

• Introduced measures to address the cost-of-living crisis, including energy support packages → aimed to alleviate economic pressures but faced scrutiny over inflation rates

• Oversaw the UK’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

• Investment in green energy and technology

• Advocated for post-Brexit trade deals and economic reforms to enhance the UK’s global standing

Sadiq Khan

• Mayor of London since 2016

• Labour Party

• Advocated for affordable housing, improved public transportation, and air quality initiatives → faced challenges with rising living costs and housing shortages

• Introduced the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to combat air pollution in London

• Promoted diversity and inclusion within London

• Opposed government cuts to local funding, emphasizing the need for investment in public services

Scottish National Party (SNP)

Nationalist political party that wanted to make Scotland an independent state within the EU

Shadow Cabinet (Government)

• House of Commons

• Appointed by Leader of Opposition

• Opposition's team overseeing government departments

Single Member District/Plurality

A single representative is elected from a district, with the winner being the candidate who receives the most votes, regardless of whether they achieve an absolute majority

Supreme Court

• House of Lords use to serve as the highest court

• Created in 2009, distinct from Parliament

• Less powers compared to some other judicial systems

• Common Law

• Adversarial System

  • Contest between two parties

  • Each party presents arguments to persuade the judge or jury to rule in their favor

  • Judge - moderator

  • Jury evaluates which side presents better arguments

• Final Court of Appeal

  • Hears civil cases for all four regions of the UK.

  • Hears criminal cases for every region except Scotland

• Judges are appointed by the Monarch based on PM’s advice

  • Mandatory retirement age for judges is 70

• Supreme Court cannot strike down Parliamentary laws as unconstitutional

Thatcherite

• Conservative Party leader Margaret Thatcher

• Relates to her political platform, policies, and personal character and style of management while in office

Third Way

• Political alternative between traditional left-wing and right-wing ideologies

• Advocates for a distinctive policy program and political economy in a globalized era

• Tony Blair's New Labour in the UK

TUC (Trade Union Conference)

A national organization that represents most trade unions in England and Wales

Unitary

MOST (not all) of the power is concentrated at the national level, with few powers given (devolved) to the sub-national units

United Kingdom

• Created in 1801 at climax of British expansion

• England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Vote of no Confidence

• MPs from all parties decide whether they want the government to continue

• Can trigger a general election and see a new prime minister appointed

Welfare State

• System in which the government provides free social services to people when they are unable to work

• Goes back to 16th Century

Whitehall

• Street in London in which there are many government offices

• Also to refer to British Government

Whip

• MPs appointed by each party in Parliament to help organise their party's contribution

• Make sure the maximum number of their party members vote, and vote the way their party wants