The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Government
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. Its constitution is partly unwritten and is flexible. The constitution's basic sources are legislative enactments of Parliament and decisions mad by courts of law. The head of state is a reigning monarch. Executive power is in hands of the prime minister, and his of her cabinet. The prime minister also appoints about 25 ministers outside the cabinet, as well as 50 junior ministers.
The Parliement consists of the monarch, the hereditary and appointed HOuse of Lords, and the elected House of Commons. The 651 members of the House of Commons are elected for five-year terms, though the prime minister may call general elections at any time. The main function of the House of Lords is to revise legislation. The Cabinet, being the respentative of the majority party in the House of Commons, can control legislation. A two-party system has existed in the United Kingdom since the late 17th century, though it is occasionally threatened by a third party. The Conservative Party and the Labour Pary are the dominant parties today. Because it is supported by the party with a majority in the House of Commons, the Cabinet exercises the sovereignty of Parlieament. The royal right of veto has not beet exercised since the 18th century, and the legislative power of the House of Lords was reduced in 1911 to the right to delay legislation. The Cabinet plans and lays before Parliament all important bills. While the Cabinet thus controls the lawmaking machinery, it is also subject to Parliament; it must expound and defend its policy in debate, and its continuation in office depends on its retaining the confidence of the House of Commos.
The United Kingdom is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
