BRITAIN / UNITED KINGDOM

1
BRITAIN / UNITED KINGDOM

• This fortress built by Nature for herself,
• Against infection and the hand of war,
• This happy breed of men, this little world,
• This precious stone set in the the silver sea,
• Which serves it in the office of a wall,
• Or as a moat defensive to a house,
• Against the envy of less happier lands
• This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this
  England.
• Richard III (William Shakespeare)

2
British Political Culture

• Noblesse Oblige Social Class
• Important tradition in British politics is
  noblesse oblige, duty of the upper classes to
  take responsibility for the welfare of the lower
  classes (Modern willingness to accept welfare
  state, although Thatcherism sought to abandon
  this tradition in favor of free market capitalism
  and small government).
• Social Class is still an issue, although modern
  political parties are not supported exclusively
  on class lines, but tradition still affects
  education, language, where people live, etc.

3
British Political/Civic Culture

• Gradualism, which is strengthened and in turn
  strengthens TRADITIONS
• Trust
• Deference to authority competence
• Pragmatism
• Tolerance for different points of view
• Acceptance of the rules of the game
• Heavy democratic participation, vote
• Harmony
• Increased violence in Northern Island, decreasing
  support for labor unions class solidarity,
  politics of protest, Thatcherism, etc. challenge
  these traditional values.

4
British Political Parties

• Began to form during the 18th century
• Their organization function shaped the
  development of many other party systems
  (including the US)
• 19th century firm two-party system with roots in
  the electorate
• Whig Tory (1600s on)
• Whigs--Liberal Party, Tories--Conservative Party
• Labour Party--early 20th cent, response to
  Industrial Revolution, new voters w/ new demands

5
Modern Political Parties

• Labour Conservative, but other parties also
  represented in Parliament
• Strong Third Parties, affect election results but
  because of SMPD system, dont claim as many seats
  as reflected by their percentage of popular vote
• Liberal Democratic Party, nationalist parties
  (e.g. Plaid Cymru, Scottish National Party,
  Democratic Unionist Party, Sinn Fein, etc.)

6
The Labour Party

• Largest party on left, began in 1906 as an
  alliance of unions socialist groups
• Labor unions provide most party funds, but Blair
  broadened party membership support
• CLAUSE 4 labour issue, called for
  nationalization of commanding heights of
  British industry.
• Party grew more moderate, evident in removal of
  clause from Labour Party Constitution in early
  1990s, after Neal Kinnock became party leader in
  early 80s, and continued under John Smith (93-94)
  and Tony Blair (1994-2007) Gordon Brown
  (2007-2010) Ed Milliband (2010-?)

7
Labour Party (cont)

• 1992 was the year that marked the change in the
  party, Kinnock resigns and John Smith, moderate
  Scotsman who the party hoped would solidify
  support from Scottish nationalist groups
  promoted. Dies in 1994.
• Tony Blair, young leader, didnt come from union
  ranks, Oxford educated, barrister-turned-politicia
  n, hoped to bring more intellectuals and middle
  class people into party
• Third Way (redefined as a moderate party,
  centrist alternative to extreme views of 70s, 80s)

8
Labour Party Constituency

• Working class, now lines are more blurred because
  society and the parties have changed
• Urban and industrial dwellers
• Industrial cities of north (Liverpool,
  Manchester, Newcastle, Yorkshire)
• Central London
• People from Scotland and Wales

9
Conservative Party

• Party of the right, prospered b/c traditionally
  they were pragmatic, not ideological party
• Dominant party in Britain from WWII-1997,
  majority in Parliament for all but 16 years
  during that time.
• Noblesse Oblige, power centered in London.
  Usually seen as elitists, MPs choose party
  leadership, no formal rules, but now leadership
  has to submit to annual leadership elections.
  Thatcher in 1990 forced to resign after strong
  challenge in election. Senior party members
  chosen by party leader form the cabinet.

10
Conservative Party (cont)

• During 1980s, took sharp right turn under
  Margaret Thatcher, supported market controlled
  economy, privatization, fewer social welfare
  programs, etc.
• Moved back to center under Prime Minister John
  Major (1990-1997)
• Since 1997, weakened by deep divisions
• Traditional Wing (one nation Tories) value
  noblesse oblige, want country ruled by elite that
  takes everybodys interest into account,
  generally support Britains membership in EU
• Thatcherite Wing, strict conservatives, small
  government, full free market, Euroskeptics,
  threat to British sovereignty

11
Conservative Leaders

• William Pitt (1780s- early1800s) Whig leader
• Benjamin Disraeli (1860s Reform Act)
• Winston Churchill (194045, 195155)
• Edward Heath in early 70s
• Margaret Thatcher (197990)
• John Major (1990-1997)
• Ian Duncan Smith Michael Howard (2000-2005)
• David Cameron (2005-present)

12
Conservative Constituency

• Middle Upper classes
• Recent years, working classes attracted to
  Conservative platform to cut taxes, keep
  immigrants out, etc.
• Win mostly in England, especially in rural and
  suburban areas.
• Rural v. Urban values, they are more traditional

13
Liberal Democratic Party

• Liberals Social Democrats, form alliance in 83
  87 elections, 89 become Liberal Democrats
• Strong middle party, compromise the politics of
  two major parties ing the 80s.
• 1983 won impressive 26 of pop vote, but only got
  23 seats (3.5 MPs)
• Campaign for proportional representation and for
  Bill of Rights modeled after first 10 amendments
  of US Constitution
• Decline in 90s as both parties move to center
• Former leader, Paddy Ashdown, very popular,
  strong stands on environment, health education,
  etc.
• Benefited from disillusionment with Blair over
  Iraq War. Still underrepresented in Parliament

14
Other Parties

• Plaid Cymru (Wales)
• Scottish National Party
• Shut out the Conservative Party in their regions
  in last 3 elections, but Labour is strong in
  regions
• Blair created regional assemblies (12 of 60 in
  Welsh Assembly, 27 of 129 in Scottish Assembly).
• Northern Ireland (Sinn Fein--political arm of
  IRA--and Democratic Unionist Party, led by
  Protestant clergymen.

15
British Elections

• Only national officials British voters elect are
  Members of Parliament (MPs)
• Prime Minister is an MP from a single district of
  majority party
• Elections must be held every five years, but
  prime minister can call them earlier
• Officially, elections occur after Crown dissolves
  Parliament, happens b/c PM requests it.
• Power to call elections is very important, PM
  calls them when he/she thinks majority party has
  a good shot at winning

16
British Elections (Cont)

• Like US, winner take all (single member
  plurality system, no runoffs, doesnt require
  majority--First past the post
• MPs dont have to live in districts they
  represent, each party decides who runs where.
  Neophytes go to losing districts, party leaders
  run from safe districts

17
British Elections (cont)

• Winner take all system exaggerates size of
  victory of largest party
• 2005 elections, Labour got 35.3 of vote, 356/646
  seats
• Reduces influence of minor parties
• 1998 Good Friday Agreement, N Ireland regional
  govt, all parties have proportional
  representation
• Mayor of London now voted on directly for the
  first time

18
US vs. British Elections
USA BRITAIN
Parties less powerful Party determines who runs where
Members must live in districts Members usually dont live in districts
Party leaders run from respective districts Party leaders run in Safe Districts
Individual votes for 4 officials on national level Individual only votes for one official on the national level
Between 30-60 of eligible voters, vote 70-80 of eligible voters, vote often
First-past-the-post, single member districts virtually no minor parties get representation First-past-the-post, single member districtssome representation from minority parties, less than with PR

19
Interest Groups

• Most influential interest groups linked to class
  and industrial interests
• 1945-1970s, business interests and trade unions
  competed for influence over policy-making process
• Trade Unions Congress (TUC) lots of clout, govt
  consulted on important decisions, no comparable
  single group for business interests
• Ex 1976, govt negotiated with TUC and coalition
  of business (CBI) to limit TUCs wage demands in
  exchange for 3 reduction in income tax rates
• Thatcher slams door on TUC
• 1990s interest groups have regained power,
  business and unions

20
Institutions of British Govt

• Three branches and a bureaucracy
• Legislature divided in 2 houses, they invented
  this, everyone copies it
• Parliamentary system, not presidential
• Executive fused with Legislative
• PM Cabinet are leaders of parliament
• Separation of powers doesnt exist
• Judicial branch doesnt have power of judicial
  review, dont interpret Constitution of the
  Crown

21
The Cabinet

• Cabinet Prime Minister Ministers (each heads
  major bureaucracy of govt)
• Party leaders from parliament chosen by PM
• Collective Cabinet, center of policy-making in
  Brit political system, coll responsibility
  ensures continuity of govt by unifying cabinet
• Cabinet doesnt vote, all members publicly
  support PMs decision, take collective
  responsibility for making policy, unity of
  cabinet essential for stability of govt
• Foreign Office, Home Office, Chancellor of the
  Exchequer, etc.
• Important role in constraining the chief
  executive, checking his/her power

22
Prime Minister

• First among equals
• Apex of unitary government, centralized in London
  based govt
• MP, leader of majority party
• Speaks legitimately for all MPs
• Chooses cabinet members subordinate posts
• Makes decisions w/ cabinet
• Capaings for and represents the party in
  parliament

23
Comparative Executives
Prime Minister (UK) President of US
Serves only as long as he/she is leader of majority party Elected for 4 yr terms by electoral college based on popular vote (2term)
Elected as MP Elected as president
Excellent chance of getting programs past Parliament Excellent chance of ending up in gridlock w/ Congress
Cabinet members always MPs, leaders of majority party Cabinet members rarely come from Congress
Cabinet members not experts in policy areas rely on bureaucracy for expertise Some expertise in policy area, one criteria for their appointment, head vast bureaucracies

24
Parliament

• House of Commons based on assumption that one
  party will get majority of seats, other will be
  the loyal opposition
• Britain has multi-party system at polls,
  two-party system in House of Commons

25
House of Commons

• 2 long benches facing one another with table
  between by tradition 2 swords lengths wide
• PM sits on front bench of majority side in the
  middle
• Across from PM sits leader of opposition, facing
  the majority party
• Cabinet members sit on front rows of majority
  side
• Shadow cabinet faces them on opposition
• Backbenchers, less influential MPs, etc .
• MPs from other political parties sit on
  opposition side, at the end, far away from table

26
Debate

• Debate is usually quite spirited, especially once
  a week during Question Time
• Hour when PM and cabinet must defend themselves
  against attack from the opposition and sometimes
  members of their own party
• Speaker of the House presides over debates
• Supposed to be objective, not a member of
  majority party, allow all to speak, dont let it
  get out of hand, gavel MPs down if too rowdy
• Debate is where MPs can get attn from others to
  become future leaders
• Opposition is check on majority party, have no
  checks and balances

27
Party Discipline

• Majority party government, party discipline is
  important, dont want a govt crisis b/c it lacks
  legitimacy
• Dont want to lose a vote of confidence on key
  issue, if not supported, the cabinet by tradition
  resigns immediately and elections for new MPs
  held ASAP. Usually this doesnt happen, people
  work it out within party or all lose their job
• Ex 2005 Labours Higher Education Bill raised
  university fees, barely passed
• Policy making power of house is limited, many
  policies ratified by Cabinet, dont go through
  Parliament

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Parliament has substantial powers because MPs

• Debate and refine potential legislation
• Are the only ones who may become party leaders
  ultimately head the govt
• Scrutinize the administration of laws
• Keep communication lines open between voters and
  ministers

29
House of Lords

• Only hereditary parliamentary house in existence
  today
• House of Commons established supremacy during
  17th cent, authority of Lords declined
• Lords have power to delay legislation, debate
  technicalities of proposed bills
• Add amendments to legislations but Commons can
  delete changes w/ majority vote
• Five LAW LORDS, Britains highest court of
  appeals, but they dont have judicial review
• Until 1999, 50 of Lords were hereditary peers,
  rest were life peers, appointed to nonhereditary
  positions as a result of distinguished service to
  Britain
• 1999- only 92 hereditary seats, 567 life peers,
  plans for new upper house 550 appointed members,
  no hereditary posts
• Lords have very little policy-making power in
  British govt

30
BUREAUCRACY

• Britain has hundreds of thousands of civil
  servants who administer laws and deliver public
  services
• Most do clerical work other routine work of
  large bureaucracy
• A few hundred higher civil servants directly
  advise ministers and oversee work of their
  departments, coordinate policies cabinet members
  set w/ their actual implementation
• Stable powerful force in the political system
• Top level bureaucrats, career in govt service,
  experts in area
• Great deal of input into policy-making,
  especially since minister not usually expert in
  area
• Almost never run for public office, usually not
  active in party politics, they are the constant

31
The Judiciary

• English ideas about justice shaped other modern
  democracies (trial by jury goes back to Henry II
  in 13th cent)
• Modern judiciary very limited powers
• Parliamentary Sovereignty (Parliaments decisions
  are final) limits the development of judicial
  review.
• British courts can only determine whether govt
  decisions violate common law or previous acts of
  Parliament, even the, defer to authority of
  Parliament, dont impose their rulings on
  Parliament, PM or cabinet.

32
Judiciary (cont)

• No distinction between original and appellate
  jurisdiction (District Courts hear cases, can be
  appealed to High Courts, appealed to highest
  courtLaw Lords (but they have limited authority)
• Constitutional Reform Act of 2005 provides for a
  Supreme Court of the United Kingdom to take over
  law lords
• Judges have reputation of being independent,
  impartial, neutral. Few were MPs, not active in
  party politics
• Appointed on good behavior, attended public
  schools Oxbridge, expected to retire at 75,
  prestigious position

33
Judiciary EU

• Britains membership in EU gives judges a new
  responsibility, more important in future
• Britain is bound by EU treaties and laws, judges
  responsibility to interpret laws and determine
  whether EU laws conflict w/ parliamentary
  statutes
• The way possible conflicts between supranational
  and national laws are settled by British judges
  could have substantial impact on policy-making
  process