account of its ideas and intended policies and presents them to the electorate in an election manifestoT

^7 The Labour leader is elected at the party conference by representatives of trade unions, individual members of the party and Labour MPs. The Liberal Democrats' leader is also elected by party members but by a postal-vote. But the Conservative leader is elected only by Conservative MPs in a secret ballot.

The parties in Parliament

In debates in Parliament, MPs from different parties argue fiercely against each other. However, representatives of all parties cooperate in arranging the order of business so that there is enough time for different points of view to be expressed. Another example of cooperation between parties is the pairing system. An MP of one party is paired with an MP of another party, and when there is to be a vote and the two MPs know that they would vote on opposite sides, nefthgr of them will be present to vote. In this way, the difference in numbers between the two sides is maintained while MPs are free to do other parliamentary work.

The parties are managed by several Whips, MPs or peers (= members of the House of Lords) chosen from within their party.'The Government Chief Whip and the Opposition Chief Whip meet frequently and are ’the usual channels' through which arrangements for debates are made. Junior whips act as links between the Chief Whips and party members.

The main parties hold regular meetings at which party policy is discussed. / Conservative MPs belong to the 1922 Committee which meets once week and provides an opportunity for MPs to give their opinions on current issues^ Meetings of the Parliamentary Labour Party are generally heid twice a week and are open to all Labour MPs and Labour members of the House of Lords. Liberal Democrat MPs and peers also meet regularly. In addition, the parties have their own specialist committees that deal with different areas of policy.

1. Complete the sentences.

1. The main parties are...

2. The Conservative...

3. Traditionally...

4. The Labour Party...

5.... is organized...

6. ... prepares a detailed account...

7. ... at the party conference.

2. Are these statements true or false?

1. Historically, the main parties were the Tories and the Whigs.

2. The Conservative Party is on the political left and the Labour Party on the right.

3. Labour Party drew its support from the richer sections landowners and business people.

I Wales is traditionally a Liberal region.

'' The Conservative Party receives money from working people.

i< Л party conference is organized each other year by the national office of

Parliament.

3. Answer the questions.

1. What are the main parties in Britain?

2. Who supports the Conservative and the Labour Parties? —

3. How party conferences organized and what are happens during these conferences?

4. What is the pairing system?

4. Talking point.

Wlmt can you say about political parties in Russia?

1. hc royal family

When British people talk about the royal family they usually mean the present i >ueen and her family: her husband, Prince Philip, and their children, Prince ( liarles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, together with I heir wives or husbands and their children, including Princes William and Henry.

The present royal house (= ruling family) is the House of Windsor, popularly known as 'the Windsors'. Elizabeth II is descended from William I (1066-87), and before that, from Egbert, King of Wessex 802-39. The ruling house has changed several times over the centuries. ^1ги^ ЬлХмллм

1. Lie role of the monarchy

I he monarch or sovereign (= king or queen) originally had sole power. Over lime, the sovereign's powers have been reduced and, though the present Queen is still head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, she 'acts mi the advice of her ministers', and Britain is in practice governed by Her Majesty's Government'. The Queen has various dirties connected with government, such as formally opening a new session of parliament and giving the royal assent to new laws. She is also Supreme Governor of the Church of I ngland.

The main role of the Queen is as a representative of Britain and the iiniish people. She is a symbol of the unity of the nation beyond party I'"lilies. She is also head of the Commonwealth and works to strengthen the links between member countries. Other members of the royal family assist the i inccn in her duties, often in less formal ways. They act as patrons of British i iillural organizations and support the work of charities and good causes.

< Ringing public attitudes

I lin ing World War II, when London was bombed, George VI and his queen (the present Queen Mother) won great public admiration by staying in I "inlon throughout the war. The present Queen has also been much respected Mild her concern for the Commonwealth has strengthened the monarchy.

For many years, people expected the royal family to have high moral

standards and to display all the ideals of family life, an attitude which developed in the time of Queen Victoria. Until recently, the public rarely saw the royal family except on formal occasions. They remained aloof (= distant) and dignified, and any family problems were kept private. The younger royals, however, have lived more public lives and attracted enormous media interest. Royal marriage problems and love affairs became headline news. Alongside a hunger for yet more revelations, traditional respect for the royal family began to decline. The reported treatment of Diana, Princess of Wales and Sarah, Duchess of York, especially after the breakdown of their marriages, brought criticism on the Queen and older members of the family. The family was again criticized for their apparent reluctance to share in the public's grief after the death of Princess Diana.

All this caused people to question the role of the monarchy. Many people began to think that the royal family was out of touch with modem attitudes. Some felt that they should be more open about their problems and not try to be different. Others thought that the royal family should express the nation's feelings, that in effect they should become a people's monarchy. Many people likecj the combination of glamour and human concern that Princess Diana brought to the royal family and did not want this human touch to be lost, hr h.(/ i-C _u .

In response to the criticism the royal family is trying to be more open and the Queen wants to meet a wider range of people. The royal family had already established its own Way Ahead group to consider the monarchy's future. It also has its own Internet site. Since 1993, the Queen has paid 'income tax on her private wealth and on the part of the Privy Purse used for personal expenses. Her official expenses and the upkeep of the royal palaces are paid for through the Civil List. Uul' . / 4 ut-

The future of the monarchy

The constitutional position of the monarchy has also suffered. It has been suggested that the monarchy is undemocratic and unnecessary. Legal experts argue that getting rid of the monarchy would create serious constitutional difficulties. Defenders of the monarchy claim that the royal family, nicknamed 'the firm', pays for itself because it attracts tourists and business to Britain. Others say it is an expensive luxury. Many people have no strong feelings. They are used to the present system and, though they might like some aspects of the monarchy to be more modem, they would be reluctant to see any radical changes.

At present, the heir to the throne is the sovereign's eldest son, even if his or her first child is a daughter. Other sons take precedence in the order of succession before any daughters. There has been talk of this being changed so that the eldest child, male or female, would succeed to the throne and the others would follow in order of age. The present order of succession is as

follows:

1. The Prince of Wales

2. Prince William of Wales

3. Prince Henry of Wales

4. The Duke of York

5. Princess Beatrice of York

6. Princess Eugenie of York

7. Prince Edward

8. The Princess Royal (Princess Anne)

9. Peter Philips - (Princess Anne’s children)

10. Zara Philips - (Princess Anne’s children)