Rose Politics in Britain

7.1 The Structure of the British Constitution

The British constitution is unwritten and comprises acts of Parliament, judicial pronouncements, customs, and conventions.
- This vagueness offers flexibility that political leaders exploit to enhance their power.
- J.A.G. Griffith describes the constitution as "what happens."
Key Definitions:
- Government: The term can refer to the monarchy, a specific political party in power, or individual leaders (e.g. Theresa May's government).
- Whitehall: Collective term for government departments headed by Cabinet ministers and staffed by civil servants.
Parliament is traditionally understood to consist of the House of Commons (elected) and the House of Lords (non-elected), located at one end of Whitehall.

British (Unwritten) vs. American (Written):
- Origin: Medieval customs vs. 1787 Constitutional Convention.
- Form: Vague and flexible vs. precise and rigid.
- Final Authority: Majority in Parliament vs. Supreme Court.
- Bill of Rights: Not explicitly stated vs. included in the Constitution.
- Amendment: Ordinary parliamentary vote vs. requires a majority in Congress.
- Policy Relevance: Low for Britain vs. high for America.

Role: Head of Government, must maintain the confidence of Parliament and party.
Responsibilities:
- Party Management: Keeps party loyalty and assigns government jobs based on four criteria: loyalty, cooption, representation, competence.
- Policy Making: Balances competing interests within domestic and international contexts.
- Winning Elections: Must first be elected leader of their party, then lead the party in national elections.
- Cabinet Relationships: Appoints colleagues, often including those with different views to maintain balance.
- Public Perception and Media Influence: Encounters media scrutiny and public opinion shifts, influencing decision-making and policies.

Role: Members of the Cabinet are responsible for specific government departments.
Responsibilities: Initiate policies, represent government in Parliament, balance pressures within their departments, manage conflicts over resources.

Significance: Provide continuity and expertise, crucial for the implementation and administration of policies.
Relationship with Ministers: Expected to advise and prepare legislation while respecting the political wishes of ministers.

Functions of Parliament include:
- Legislation: Acts as a revising chamber, predominantly approving government-proposed laws.
- Oversight: MPs monitor the government’s activities and hold them accountable.
- Representation: Members represent constituents, influencing policies that affect local interests.
- Public Scrutiny: MPs use media visibility to highlight issues and maintain transparency in government actions.
House of Lords: Role has evolved with no veto power, but can delay and amend legislation.

Collectivism vs. Individualism:
- Collectivist theories advocate for balancing the competing demands of different societal sectors.
- Individualist theories focus on the primacy of individual rights and democratic representation.
Consensus on Governance: There is wide recognition of the need for accountable government and public services as key aspects of political culture in Britain.

Coalition Government: Elected officials navigate differing views and pressures.
Tensions Between Political and Civil Service: Differences in how quickly policy needs to be implemented versus the bureaucratic process.
Legal Challenges: The executive may occasionally face legal scrutiny over actions that are perceived as exceeding granted powers.