The State System (Polity)

The UK is a constitutional monarchy that means that monarch – a king or a queen is head of state.

The System is unique and practically speaking there is no written Constitution of the country.

There is no single document named Constitution– it consists of several parts.

3 Branches of Power:

• the Legislative branch represented by Parliament (but THE British Parliament)

• the Executive branch – the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the government

• the judicial branch (the judiciary) – The Supreme Court of Judicature including the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (апелляционный)

The monarch is the head of each branch.

Monarchy is the most ancient constitution in the UK, going back at least at 9^th century. Now reigning monarch – Queen Elizabeth II (21.04.1926) is a descendant of Saxon King Egbert who united all England under his sovereign in 9^th century. Queen Elizabeth II is the 40th monarch since 1066. She is the longest and oldest ruling monarch. The history of monarchy has been broken only once – the only republic in British history – 1649-1660 (Oliver Cromwell). The monarchy is founded on the hereditary principle and it is strictly observed (never abandoned). The rules of succession has been changed – (before - oldest male child or if no man - oldest female child) – nowadays succession passes to the oldest child irrespective of the gender).

The Queen's Title (in the UK) – Elizabeth the Second, by Grace of God of the UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realm and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of Faith.

The functions of the monarch:

• the head of state

• an integral part of the legislature

• the head of the executive body

• the head of the judiciary

• the commander-in-chief

• the temporal governor of the established Church of England (светский глава гос церкви)

The Queen acts on advice of her government and she takes n part in decision-make.

It is often said “The Monarch reigns but doesn't rule”.

Nevertheless the monarch's functions are very important.

The powers of the monarch according to the functions:

• the head of state – acts in international affairs:

- concludes treaties

- declares war and makes peace

- recognizes foreign governments and states

- heads the Commonwealth (the citizens of Commonwealth (where British monarch is head of state) have 2 гражданство — UK among them)

• an integral part of the legislature- summons, prorogues (suspends until the next session) and dissolves Parliament

- gives royal assent to legislation passed by Parliament

- confers peerages, knighthoods and other honours

• the head of the executive body

- appoints or dismisses all the ministers, judges, governors, members of diplomatic corps [ko:]

• the head of the judiciary

- pardons convicted criminals (on the advice of the Home Secretary (министр внутр дел)

• the commander-in-chief

- appoints senior officers

• the temporal governor of the established Church of England (светский глава гос церкви)

- appoints senior clergyman

The royal family is the main aristocratic house in the country, the biggest landowner in the UK.

Royal Styles:

HM – His or Her Majesty (monarch)

HRH – His or Her Royal Highness (other members of royal family – Elizabeth has 3 sons and one daughter)