The political system of the UK

Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy. Officially the head of the state is the king or queen. The power of the monarch is not absolute but constitutional. In practice, the monarch reigns but does not rule. The monarch acts only on the advice of the ministers.

The hereditary principle upon which the monarchy is founded is strictly observed. The now reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II is a descendant of the Saxon king Egbert.

The monarch, be it king or queen, is the head of the executive body, an integral part of the legislature, the head of the judicial body, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the crown, the head of the Established Church of England and the head of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

Many of the British people still regard the monarchy as a very useful and desirable institution. It is a symbol of national identity; by being above party politics, and not subject to election every five years, it provides the State with sense of continuity in the country, no matter which political party is in power. The Monarch personifies the State.

The Present Sovereign of the UK is Queen Elizabeth II (born 1926; ascended the throne on 6^th February in 1952; crowned on 2^nd June 1953). Her official title is: “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.”

As a head of State, the Queen is informed and consulted on every aspect of national life, on the advice of Her Ministers, she performs certain important acts of government. She is the centre of much of the nation’s ceremonial and, by ancient tradition, the leader of society. Royal duties include visiting many parts of the UK each year to encourage scientific, industrial, artistic and charitable works of national importance; paying state visits to foreign countries.

The prime Minister and Ministers receive their appointments from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Laws aren’t laws until they have received the Royal Assent. The Queen is the Head of the Church of England. She is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. She makes Treaties and declares war and peace. In international affairs the Queen, as Head of State, has the power to recognize foreign states and governments.

Three quarters or more of her working life is spent in an office reading and signing state papers. The Queen receives ambassadors and important visitors from abroad. She gives audiences to her ministers and officials in Britain and oversees, receives accounts of Cabinet decisions. She must be informed and consulted on every aspect of national life, and she must show complete impartiality.

The Sovereign formally summons and dissolves Parliament and generally opens each new annual session with a speech from the throne.