British Institutions and Monarchy Overview

A right-wing political party in the UK that has traditionally held conservative values, but has been accused of becoming more radical in recent years due to factors like the First Past the Post voting system.

The main policy objective of the Scottish National Party is Scottish independence, and they strongly oppose London's authority.

The Democratic Unionist Party is a political party in Northern Ireland that strongly advocates for maintaining Northern Ireland's union with the UK. They hold a conservative position on social issues.

The Sinn Féin party advocates for the reunification of Ireland. It won a number of seats in the 2019 and 2024 elections but has refused to take them up, highlighting their opposition to British rule.

A centrist party in the UK that advocates for social justice with minimal government intervention. They are generally in support of the NHS and environmental protection.

The Prime Minister leads the government, sets policy, represents the UK internationally, and has the power to appoint key officials.

The Prime Minister chooses the cabinet members, chairs their meetings, and sets priorities like legislation and department funding.

The Prime Minister can initiate independent inquiries to investigate important issues.

The Cabinet, composed of key ministers, oversees government departments and meets weekly to discuss policy and spending.

The civil service is a group of experts who provide advice and assistance to government departments. They can provide legal and political expertise.

Government departments are responsible for preparing legislation, overseeing public bodies and maintaining transparency.

Departments prepare legislation, working closely with the civil service, to ensure it is introduced successfully in Parliament.

Executive agencies, like the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency under the Ministry of Transport, are created by government departments.

The event in 1603 when James VI of Scotland became James I of England, uniting the two crowns.

The Act in 1707 that formally created the Kingdom of Great Britain, combining England, Wales, and Scotland.

The religious tension in Ireland where the majority Catholic population was seen as a threat to the Protestant British rule.

A policy of sending Protestant settlers to Ireland to occupy lands owned by Catholics, implemented to strengthen British control.

The act that established the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801, officially incorporating Ireland within the UK.

A 19th-century movement advocating for greater self-governance for Ireland within the UK. It aimed to transfer more political power to Ireland without full independence.

The conflict arising from the differing desires of the northern Protestants and southern Catholics in Ireland regarding self-governance within the UK. Protestants in the north opposed the idea of a unified Ireland under Catholic control.

A 1916 rebellion in Ireland organized by Irish nationalists, aiming for independence, which though initially met with resistance, eventually helped turn public opinion towards separatism.

The transfer of certain powers from a central government to another authority within the state. In the UK, this refers to the transfer of power from England to other nations within the union, such as Scotland or Wales.

A political party in Scotland advocating for Scottish independence from the UK.

A referendum held in 1979 in Scotland regarding devolution. The vote failed, with a majority against devolution.

A 1998 act that established a Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. This parliament has legislative powers in areas like agriculture, education, and health.

The Scottish executive branch, with powers in areas like agriculture, education, and health.

Areas where the Scottish Parliament has power, such as agriculture, education, and health.

Areas where the UK Parliament in Westminster retains power, such as taxation and foreign policy.

A referendum held in 2014 in Scotland, where a majority voted against independence and in favor of remaining part of the UK.

The British monarch (King/Queen) is the head of state, but their powers are largely ceremonial and symbolic. They have limited involvement in the day-to-day running of the government.

The Prime Minister, as leader of the majority party in the House of Commons, effectively chooses the ministers of the cabinet, even though the monarch technically appoints them.

The monarch retains the right to choose judges, but they follow the recommendations of the Judicial Appointments Commission, essentially giving the commission the true power in judicial selection.

The monarch's consent is required for any bill passed by Parliament to become law, but this is a formality, as the monarch has not refused assent in centuries.

The monarch's speech to Parliament is actually written by the government, making it a reflection of the government's agenda and priorities.

The monarch has symbolic authority over the armed forces, but the government controls all major decisions affecting the military.

While the monarch is the head of state and retains some ceremonial powers, the government wields the real power.

The British monarchy's lack of significant real power contributes to its continuing existence, as it represents stability and continuity.

The 1997 referendum in Wales saw over 50% of voters favor devolution, leading to the creation of the Welsh Assembly and Executive in 1998.

The Good Friday Agreement, signed in 1998, aimed to establish peace in Northern Ireland by creating a power-sharing system within the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The "Troubles" refer to the period of violence in Northern Ireland that lasted for approximately 30 years, from the mid-1960s until the late 1990s. Over 3,500 people were killed during this time.

The British army's actions on Bloody Sunday in 1972, where soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians, led to a significant escalation of violence in Northern Ireland. This incident is considered a turning point in the conflict.

Northern Ireland, unlike Wales, gained some self-government in 1921 through the Home Rule Act. This established control over areas like policing, agriculture, and education.

The DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) is a political party in Northern Ireland that promotes Unionism. Some radical members of the party are in favor of leaving the European Union.

A long-term consequence of Brexit for Northern Ireland is the possibility of Irish reunification. Many people in Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU, and the Republic of Ireland is already a member.

A short-term issue related to Brexit in Northern Ireland concerns the Irish border. There's a need to establish a solution for managing the movement of goods and people between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.