21. The party system in the uk Parliamtnt. Parties and their policies.

The UK operates a multi-party system, though historically dominated by two major parties: the Conservative Party and the Labour Party.

The Conservatives (Tories) advocate free-market economics, limited government intervention, strong national defense, and traditional social values.

The Labour Party supports social democracy, public services (e.g., NHS), workers’ rights, and progressive taxation.

Other significant parties include the Liberal Democrats (centrist, pro-EU, constitutional reform), the Scottish National Party (SNP) (pro-independence, left-leaning), and the Green Party (environmentalism, social justice). While the UK uses a first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system that favors large parties, coalition governments (e.g., 2010–2015 Conservative–Lib Dem coalition) show growing pluralism.

22. Elections in the uk: general elections (fptp, by-elections), voting.

General elections in the UK are held at least every five years to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons. The First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system is used: the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins, even without a majority. This tends to produce stable single-party governments but underrepresents smaller parties. By-elections occur when an MP resigns, dies, or is disqualified between general elections. Voting is open to UK citizens aged 18+ (and some Commonwealth/Irish citizens); registration is required. Turnout averages 60–70%. Recent debates focus on electoral reform, digital voting, and lowering the voting age to 16.

23. Religion in England: religion and politics. Anglicanism. Catholicism. The

Church of England (its history).

The Church of England (CofE) is the established church in England, with the monarch as its Supreme Governor. It originated in the 16th-century English Reformation under Henry VIII, who broke from the Roman Catholic Church to annul his marriage—leading to the Act of Supremacy (1534). The CofE blends Catholic liturgy with Protestant theology (via the Elizabethan Settlement). Historically, Catholics faced legal discrimination (e.g., Test Acts) until Catholic Emancipation in 1829. Today, while the CofE retains ceremonial roles in state functions (e.g., coronations), the UK is increasingly secular. Nevertheless, 26 bishops (Lords Spiritual) sit in the House of Lords, linking religion and politics. Catholicism remains the largest non-Anglican Christian denomination.

24. Holidays and special occasions in the uk. Food and drinks in the uk (traditional dishes, pubs).

The UK celebrates both public holidays (e.g., Christmas, Easter Monday, Boxing Day) and cultural occasions like Bonfire Night (5 November, commemorating Guy Fawkes), Remembrance Day (11 November), and St. George’s Day (England). Traditional foods include roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, fish and chips, full English breakfast, and Sunday roast. Afternoon tea—featuring scones, clotted cream, and jam—is iconic. The pub (public house) is central to British social life, serving beer (especially ale and lager), cider, and often food. Real Ale and whisky (particularly Scotch) are nationally cherished drinks. Regional variations abound: haggis in Scotland, Welsh cakes in Wales, and Irish stew in Northern Ireland.