Glossary

annex (v)

take over territory and incorporate it into another political entity, e.g. a country or state

backbencher

member of the House of Commons who is not a party leader

bail (n)

money that must be forfeited by the bondsman if an accused person fails to appear in court for trial

barrister

British lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law

canopy

cover (as a cloth) fixed or carried above a person of high rank or sacred object

cede (v)

give something such as ownership to someone

confer (v)

present, e.g. degree, honour

crossbencher

member of the House of Commons who does not vote regularly with either the Government or the Opposition

custody

holding by the police; guardianship over; in divorce cases–the right to house and care for and discipline a child

dissolve

declare void

enact

order by virtue of superior authority; decree

frontbencher

member of the House of Commons who is a minister or an ex-minister

nanny state

government that brings in legislation that it considers is in the people's best interests but that is regarded by some as interfering and patronizing

peerage

rank, status, or title of a nobleman or noblewoman

Privy Council

advisory council to the British crown

prorogue

adjourn by royal prerogative; without dissolving the legislative body

Royal Assent

the British monarch's formal signing of an act of Parliament, making it law

solicitor

British lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents

summon

call in an official matter

welfare state

government that undertakes responsibility for the welfare of its citizens through programs in public health and public housing and pensions and unemployment compensation etc.

woolsack

sack or bag of wool; specifically, the seat of the lord chancellor of England in the House of Lords, being a large, square sack of wool resembling a divan in form.

House of Commons

House of Lords

composition (number of members and what the members are called)

(kinds of Lords)

1.

2.

3.

presided over by (position and name currently)

main functions

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.

2.

3.

AThe Opposition consists of all those parties which, as a result of the last general election, are not part of the Government. It is made up of the Official Opposition, the Opposition party with the largest number of members, and a number of smaller parties.

BThe Prime Minister decides which positions will be included in his or her Cabinet. Heads of Government Departments will usually all be Cabinet ministers. A Cabinet must be large enough to include senior ministers whilst small enough to allow for constructive discussion, usually about 20 people.

CThe Government is like the management of the country. It makes the important decisions, e.g. about foreign policy, education, or health, but many of these decisions have to be approved by Parliament. Over 1,000 people are entitled to sit in the two Houses of Parliament, but only about 100 of these belong to the Government.

DBefore 1945 there were several Governments whose members were drawn from a variety of different parties. This is known as coalition government. Coalitions have, in the past, usually been formed in times of national crisis, for example during war time, in periods of economic difficulty or if no party has a majority.

EThe Opposition can challenge the Government, during Question Time, in committee and by debate. In addition the Opposition may oppose the Government’s attempts to make new laws. Senior members of the Opposition are known as the Shadow Cabinet.

FCabinet meetings are usually held on a Thursday morning in the Cabinet room at 10 Downing Street. The Prime Minister can summon the Cabinet to meet at any time and meetings will be more frequent when the political situation requires.

GThe most senior members of the Government are known as the Cabinet.

HMembers of both Houses can challenge the Government in committees, in debates and by questioning it about its work. Parliament has to ensure that the Government is working properly and that its decisions are in the public interest.

IMost of the ministers of the Cabinet are heads of Government Departments. The work of Government is divided among Departments which each specialise in a particular subject, e.g. defence, education, trade and industry. The number and responsibilities of Government Departments can be changed by the Prime Minister according to the needs of the country.

JMembers of the Cabinet are chosen by the Prime Minister. The majority of the members of the Cabinet are drawn from the House of Commons. Nevertheless there are always a few members from the House of Lords.

Prime Minister

First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council

First Secretary of State

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice

Secretary of State for the Home Department

Minister for Women and Equality

Secretary of State for Defence

Labour Party

Conservative Party

Liberal Democratic Party

also known as

symbol and colour

current leader

place in the political spectrum (left-right)

number of MPs currently in Parliament

views

1 Democratic Unionist Party

A Centre-left party in favour of Welsh independence.

2 Scottish National Party

B More hardline Unionist party in Northern Ireland, has a rightwing political agenda

3 Sinn Féin

C Constitutional Irish nationalist party in Northern Ireland, has a centre-left and social democratic political orientation.

4 Plaid Cymru - Party of Wales

D Irish Republican party in Northern Ireland, supports Socialism, is associated with the IRA. Do not take their seats in the British House of Commons.

5 Social Democratic and Labour Party

E Centre-left party in favour of Scottish independence.