UK

Overview of the UK Parliament

Structure of Parliament

• The UK Parliament is bicameral, consisting of two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

• The House of Commons is the lower house, with 650 elected members, while the House of Lords is the upper house, currently comprising 822 members.

• The House of Lords includes life peers (LP), hereditary peers (HP), and bishops from the Church of England, reflecting a mix of appointed and inherited positions.

• The Prime Minister (PM) is typically the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons, emphasizing the importance of this house in legislative power.

Historical Context

• The House of Lords has undergone significant reforms, notably in 1999, which limited the number of hereditary peers and aimed to modernize its structure.

• The Magna Carta of 1215 is a pivotal document that began the limitation of monarchical power, establishing that the monarch is subject to the law.

• The unification of Scotland and England in 1707 marked a significant moment in UK history, leading to the formation of Great Britain and the current parliamentary system.

The House of Lords

Composition and Roles

• The House of Lords consists of life peers, hereditary peers, and bishops, with life peers being appointed for their lifetime and not passing their titles to descendants.

• The House of Lords reviews legislation proposed by the House of Commons, providing checks and balances within the legislative process.

• It can suggest amendments and refer legislation back to the Commons, but it cannot ultimately veto laws passed by the Commons.

Reform and Modernization

• The 1999 House of Lords Act significantly reduced the number of hereditary peers, allowing only 92 to remain, thus modernizing the house.

• The role of bishops in the House of Lords reflects the historical connection between the Church and the state, with 24 bishops representing the Church of England.

• Ongoing discussions about further reforms continue, focusing on the balance of power and representation within the Lords.

The House of Commons

Legislative Power

• The House of Commons holds the most power in the UK Parliament, with members elected through a first-past-the-post system in single-member districts.

• The Prime Minister and the cabinet are drawn from the House of Commons, emphasizing its role in the executive branch of government.

• The Commons can remove the PM through a vote of no confidence, showcasing its authority over the executive.

Political Dynamics

• The UK operates under a two-party system, primarily dominated by the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, with other parties like the Liberal Democrats also playing significant roles.

• Fixed-term Parliaments were established in 2011, allowing for more predictable election cycles, although the PM can still call for early elections under certain conditions.

• Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) occur weekly, allowing MPs to question the PM directly, enhancing accountability.

Recent Political History

Key Political Figures and Events

• Tony Blair served as PM from 1997 to 2007, leading the Labour Party's shift to the center with 'New Labour' policies.

• Gordon Brown succeeded Blair and faced challenges including the financial crisis of 2008, impacting his popularity and the Labour Party's standing.

• David Cameron's tenure (2010-2016) was marked by austerity measures and the controversial Brexit referendum, which ultimately led to his resignation.

Brexit and Its Implications

• The Brexit vote in 2016 resulted in a significant political shift, with Theresa May succeeding Cameron and focusing on negotiating the UK's exit from the EU.

• Boris Johnson's leadership (2019-2022) was characterized by a strong mandate to deliver Brexit, but he faced challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Rishi Sunak's brief premiership highlighted ongoing economic challenges and internal party conflicts within the Conservative Party.

The Constitution of the Crown

Overview of Parliamentary Sovereignty

• Parliamentary sovereignty is the principle that Parliament has the supreme legal authority in the UK, allowing it to create or end any law.

• The House of Commons plays a crucial role in this system, as any legislation passed by the Commons is considered constitutional.

• This sovereignty means that no Parliament can bind a future Parliament, ensuring that laws can be changed or repealed at any time.

• The concept is often debated, with pros including the flexibility of law-making and cons such as the lack of judicial checks on Parliament's power.

• Historical context: The principle has evolved since the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which established parliamentary supremacy over the monarchy.

Judicial Review and the Role of the Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court of the UK, established in 2009, serves as the highest court in the land, replacing the House of Lords as the final court of appeal.

• Despite its power, the Supreme Court cannot declare laws unconstitutional due to parliamentary sovereignty, but it can mediate if the government oversteps its own laws.

• Judicial review allows the court to assess the legality of government actions, ensuring they comply with existing laws.

• The court's role is crucial in maintaining the rule of law and protecting individual rights, even if it cannot overturn legislation.

• Example: The Supreme Court's ruling in the Miller case (2017) highlighted its role in checking government power regarding Brexit.

Structure of the UK Government

The House of Commons

• The House of Commons is the lower house of Parliament, consisting of Members of Parliament (MPs) elected by the public.

• The Prime Minister is typically the leader of the majority party in the Commons and is responsible for forming a government.

• The Commons has the power to initiate legislation, control the budget, and hold the government accountable through votes of confidence.

• Committees within the Commons play a vital role in scrutinizing legislation and government actions, ensuring transparency and accountability.

• The relationship between the Commons and the executive is characterized by checks and balances, with the Commons able to challenge the government's decisions.

The House of Lords

• The House of Lords is the upper house of Parliament, comprising life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers, totaling 822 members.

• Life peers are appointed for their expertise and experience, while hereditary peers inherit their titles, though their numbers were limited by the House of Lords Act 1999.

• The Lords review legislation proposed by the Commons, providing amendments and suggestions, but cannot ultimately block legislation passed by the Commons.

• The House of Lords serves as a revising chamber, adding depth and perspective to the legislative process, although it lacks the same power as the Commons.

• The Lords also play a role in scrutinizing government actions and holding the executive accountable.

Devolution and Regional Governance

The Concept of Devolution

• Devolution refers to the transfer of powers from the national government to regional governments, allowing for localized decision-making.

• The UK has devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each with varying degrees of legislative power.

• The Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru are examples of political parties advocating for regional interests and autonomy.

• Devolution aims to address regional disparities and give local populations a greater voice in governance.

• The process of devolution has led to increased political engagement and identity among regional populations.

Social Issues and Historical Context

The Conflict in Northern Ireland

• The conflict in Northern Ireland, known as 'The Troubles,' primarily involved tensions between Catholic nationalists and Protestant unionists.

• The Irish Republican Army (IRA) emerged in the 1960s, advocating for Irish reunification and often resorting to violence.

• Key events include Bloody Sunday (1972), where British soldiers killed unarmed civil rights protesters, and Bloody Friday (1972), when the IRA detonated multiple bombs.

• The Good Friday Agreement (1998) was a significant peace accord that aimed to end the violence and establish a devolved government in Northern Ireland.

• The agreement has faced challenges, including the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2002 due to political disagreements.