Politics

Politics in the UK

English politics is as complex as its history. The basic political system in England is a parliamentary system with a constitutional monarchy - Queen Elizabeth II acts as the head of state. It has an unwritten constitution, which means that no laws are officially written down. Confusing?

There are three main political parties in England - the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats. Blue, Red, Yellow.

England currently has a coalition government made up of the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, with David Cameron as prime minister.

There are two chambers of Parliament - the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Anyone can be voted into the House of Commons. The House of Lords is a little different; as the title suggest, you have to be a Lord or Spiritual Lord (e.g - a religious dignitary) to become a member of the House of Lords. Not that it matters - the House of Lords doesn’t do much and holds virtually no power. Cool name though.

Elections are held every five years and 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) can be voted into the House of Commons. The United Kingdom is also a member of the European Union and there are elections held regionally in England to decide who is sent as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). The European Union has some influence over what laws are implemented in England.

The English are famous for a scuffle. They partook in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, the Iraqi War and the War on Terror, and that’s just in the 20th century! And with great power comes great responsibility. Some really famous prime ministers sprung up in these times, namely Winston Churchill (WWII), Maggie Thatcher (Falklands War) and most recently, Tony Blair (Iraqi War).