Britain Government and Politics

The politics of the United Kingdom functions in the framework of a unitary state under a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state of the United Kingdom as well as of fifteen other independent Commonwealth countries. The governance of the country takes place in parliamentary system whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government and leads the cabinet of ministers. The parliament of the United Kingdom meets in the Palace of Westminster and is composed of two houses; an elected House of Commons and an appointed House of Lords.

According to conventions, the British monarch’s powers are exercised upon the advice of the Prime Minister. However, there are certain powers reserved for the British monarch, which can be exercised at his or her own discretion. The present British Monarch is Queen Elizabeth II assumed office on February 6, 1952; she has the second-longest reign as the British monarch after Queen Victoria. The Queen is the eldest daughter of George VI and Elizabeth Bowes Lyon. She married her distant cousin Philip Mountbatten in 1947. She became the Queen of England at the age of 18, after the death of William IV. Britain experienced a great age of industrial expansion, and economic progress during her reign.

The Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen. The palatial building has 775 rooms. The palace is plush with lavish furnishings and contains some priceless and valuable collection. The palace also serves as the administrative center of the British Monarchy.

A symbolic representation of the Monarchy of Britain, the Buckingham Palace has emerged as a major tourist attraction of the country. The furnishings of the State Rooms epitomize opulence and boast of the wealth of the Royal Collections. These include some of the most finely carved French and English furniture, sculptural creations of Canova, samples of Sevres porcelain and works of art by Canaletto, Rubens, Rembrandt and Poussin. The tourists are not allowed throughout the year to visit the State Rooms. It is only when the Queen pays her yearly visit to Scotland, in the months of August and September that visitors are allowed to explore the nineteen State Rooms of Buckingham Palace.

Another crowning glory of the Buckingham Palace is its garden. Over three hundred and fifty species of flora adorn this garden lying to the southern part of the Palace.

British Law comprises two legal systems of the English law and the Scots law. The English law system is enforceable in both England and Wales, whereas the Scots Law is enforceable only in Scotland. The British law structure is the legal blueprint across the Commonwealth countries.

England and Wales are entwined by a common legal system. The Supreme Court of England and Wales form of pinnacle of the legal system in those territories. The criminal cases are tried by the Crown Court. The civil cases in England and Wales are tried by the High Court of Justice.

The highest court in Britain is the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords. The House of Lords may pass its valued judgment in all civil and criminal cases pertaining to England and Wales, as well as in civil cases in Scotland.

Britain also has a number of specialized courts to pass judgment on specific civil matters. Examples of these types of specialized appeal courts are the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.

British Consulate functions as the governmental representative of Britain in the foreign nations. Britain has consulates in many countries whose aim is to strengthen the ties of Britain with all the countries. These consulates operate through the British embassies.

The Press and Public Affairs Department of British Consulate is responsible for nurturing economic, political and social relations between Britain and the officials of the other country. The department also organizes seminars, programs and conferences for initiating the prospect of good relations. The three major political parties of the United Kingdom are the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. David Cameroon is the current prime minister of the country; he belongs to the Conservative Party.

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