UK Chapter Vocabulary

Tony Blair

Labour PM from 1997-2007, known for New Labour/Third Way and involving UK in Iraq War

Brexit

British exit from the EU in 2020

cabinet

Body of MPs called ministers who are appointed by the PM to oversee specific policy areas

David Cameron

Conservative PM from 2010-2016 who formed coalition government with Liberal Democrats

Celtic fringe

areas on Britain’s northern and western perimeter (Scotland, Wales, & Ireland) where Celtic language and culture survived

collective responsibility

even when individual cabinet ministers oppose a given policy, the entire cabinet must appear unified and take responsibility for the policy

collective consensus

post-WWII period of bipartisan support for creation of welfare state

common law

legal system based on customs and precedent rather than formal legal codes

Commonwealth

group including the UK and 54 of its former colonies to maintain some of the economic and cultural ties established during imperial rule

Confederation of British Industry

biggest British business interest group; no formal links to Conservatives but is counterbalance to TUC

Conservatives

one of two dominant political parties in UK alongside Labour; center-right on the political spectrum

Jeremy Corbyn

leader of Labour Party from 2015-2020; socialist

Crown

head of state; ceremonial figure

English Civil War

conflict from 1642-51 between monarch Charles I and supporters of Parliament who win

Nigel Farage

populist leader of UKIP

Good Friday Agreement

1998 agreement between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland allowing for reestablishment of Northern Ireland Assembly

hereditary peers

members of aristocracy who have historically been able to bequeath House of Lords seats to offspring

House of Commons

lower house of Parliament comprised of 650 MPs; holds most legislative and executive power in UK

House of Lords

upper house of Parliament comprised of around 800 peers, including law lords, clergymen, etc.; can delay, review, and amend legislation

hung parliament

no party has majority of seats

Labour Party

working class political party on left of political spectrum

Liberal Democratic Party

centrist party advocating for individual freedom and week state while promoting collective equality through increased taxation and social spending; opposed war in Iraq and Brexit

Liberals (Whigs)

17th-19th century party that opposed policies of monarch and garnered support of commercial class; tried to enlarge electorate

life peers

citizens appointed to HL for life by crown upon recommendation of PM

Magna Carta

1215 agreement between King John and British nobles, stating monarch wasn’t absolute nor above the law

majoritarian

political regime that gives majority party virtually unchecked power

Theresa May

conservative PM from 2016-2019; calls election in 2017 but loses majority; fails to execute Brexit

Member of Parliament

elected member of House of Commons

neoliberalism

reemergence of classical liberalism, advocating deregulation, tax cuts, etc.

Northern Ireland

northeastern part of island of Ireland that remains a part of the UK; half Protestant half Catholic

Parliament

bicameral legislative body of UK comprised of House of Commons and Lords; has executive and legislative powers

prime minister

head of cabinet; leader of the majority party in Parliament

quangos

quasi-autonomous nongovernmental organizations; policy boards or other entities appointed or approved by the government that bring government officials and affected interests groups together to help develop policy

Scottish National Party

social democratic political party in Scotland pushing for Scottish independence

Marget Thatcher

conservative PM from 1979 to 1990; presided over Falklands War, end of Cold War, implementation of neoliberal economic policies

The Troubles

violent conflict in Northern Ireland from 1968 to 1998 between Protestant loyalists and Catholic unionists

Third Way

political compromise between right and left under Tony Blair

Trades Union Congress

a confederation of the UK’s largest trade unions that has formal links to the labour party

United Kingdom Independence Party

euroskeptic, right-wing populist party most popular in 2010s

vote of no confidence

when the majority of Parliament no long supports the cabinet and prime minster; usually a result of major legislation failing to pass