The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. Although Queen Elizabeth II has been the country’s Head of State since 1952, the “royal prerogative” of the monarchy has been progressively reduced in past centuries after events such as the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the passing of the Representation of the People Act 1832. The monarch must still “appoint” a new Prime Minister after a general election and approve the enactment of all legislation, but these rolls are now considered to be purely ceremonial. Political dissent on behalf of the Queen is incredibly rare, and would likely prompt an erosion of the monarchy’s current 68 percent public approval rating.
Political power in the UK is instead predominantly held by the members of the bicameral parliament which resides in the Palace of Westminster in London. The upper chamber, the House of Lords, has no defined number of members and serves predominantly as an advisory committee which can offer amendments and delay (but not entirely prevent) the passing of legislation. Despite its limited influence, the House of Lords is held in low esteem by much of the British public. The fact that …show more content…
The United Kingdom is one of 28 member states in the EU, and is represented by 73 of the 751 publicly elected Members of the European Parliament. To its critics, the EU epitomises a bloated bureaucracy that harms British sovereignty through regulation implemented without the popular support of British citizens (for EU law supplants that of each member state). However, internationalists on the opposing side claim that membership to the EU is beneficial for trade and investments, and that cooperation with neighbouring countries allows for a more effective counter-terrorism strategy. A referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership to the EU is currently scheduled to take place on June 23,
Political power in the UK is instead predominantly held by the members of the bicameral parliament which resides in the Palace of Westminster in London. The upper chamber, the House of Lords, has no defined number of members and serves predominantly as an advisory committee which can offer amendments and delay (but not entirely prevent) the passing of legislation. Despite its limited influence, the House of Lords is held in low esteem by much of the British public. The fact that …show more content…
The United Kingdom is one of 28 member states in the EU, and is represented by 73 of the 751 publicly elected Members of the European Parliament. To its critics, the EU epitomises a bloated bureaucracy that harms British sovereignty through regulation implemented without the popular support of British citizens (for EU law supplants that of each member state). However, internationalists on the opposing side claim that membership to the EU is beneficial for trade and investments, and that cooperation with neighbouring countries allows for a more effective counter-terrorism strategy. A referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership to the EU is currently scheduled to take place on June 23,