Political system of the uk

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a parliamentary monarchy. Formally the Queen is the head of the state but in reality the Prime Minister has more power. Parliament in Great Britain consists of two houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Lords is the upper House. Its members are either by birth or because they've been chosen by the government. The House of Commons is the lower House. Members of the House of Commons are elected for a period of 5 years.

There are two main political parties in the UK: the Labour and the Conservative.

The Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace is the place where members of Parliament gather to make laws. Sessions usually begin at the end of October and last about 160 days. All the time the Parliament on session a flag can be seen over the building. Visitors may sit at the Strangers' Gallery and listen to the debates. The speaker is the chairperson in the House of Commons and Lord Chancellor is the chairperson in the House of Lords.

The residence of Queen Elisabeth II is Buckingham Palace. The residence of the Prime Minister is Downing Street, 10 in London.

Every year, in November, the Queen makes the short journey by horse and carriage from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament. The event is the ceremonial opening of a new session of parliament. It's always a splendid occasion. After the fanfares which greet her arrival, the Queen reads a speech, prepared for her by the government. It sets out the government's plans for the parliamentary session which is about to start. The Queen "A bill will be introduced to reform the sentencing and supervision of serious, dangerous and persistent offenders so as to provide greater protection for the public. Legislation will be introduced to support the fight against organized crime."

References:

House of Lords - палата лордов ( верхняя палата британского парламента ); House of Commons - палата общин ( нижняя палата британского парламента ); Labour Party - лейбористская партия;

Westminister Palace - Вестминстерский Дворец; Houses of Parliament - парламент; chairperson - председатель; Lord Chancellor - лорд-канцлер ( глава судебного ведомства и верховный судья Англии, председатель палаты лордов и одного из отделений Верховного суда ).

Ex.1. Complete the centences:

1. The UK is a parliamentary … .

2. Parliament in Great Britain consists of … .

3. The House of Lords is … .

4. The House of Commons is … .

5. There are two main political parties in the UK … .

6. The residence of Queen Elisabeth II is … .

Ex.2. Answer the questions:

1. What kind of state is the UK?

2. Who is the Head of the state?

3. How many Houses does Parliament consist of?

4. For what period are members of Parliament elected?

5. Where does Parliament gather to make laws?

6. When do the sessions usually begin?

7. Do they last long?

8. Who is the chairperson in the House of Commons? In the House of Lords?

9. Are there many political parties in the UK?

10. Whose residence is Buckingham Palace?

11. Where is the residence of the Prime Minister?

12. Why does the Queen make a short journey from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament every year in November?

Ex.3. Translate into English.

1. Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии – парламентская монархия. 2. Члены палаты Лордов избираются правительством, либо это право передается по наследству. 3. Члены палаты Общин избираются нa 5 лет. 4. В стране две основные политические партии: Лейбористская и Консервативная. 5. Каждый год королева присутствует на церемонии открытия новой сессии парламента.