....

1. THE BRITISH
SYSTEM
Presented by: Chiappini Beatrice, Diodoro Elena, Donatelli Paolo, Germano
Ludovica, Giansante Lucrezia, Sun Elena, Ursini Annasofia 5E

2. INDEX
PARLIAMENTARISM AND THE WESTMINSTER MODEL
THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER
THE MONARCH
THE UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTION: “CONSTITUTIONAL
DOCUMENTS”
BREXIT
THE SUPREME COURT

3. PARLIAMENTARY
CONSTITUTIONAL
MONARCHY
The British form of government is...

4. INTRODUCT
ION
The political system of the United Kingdom is a
parliamentary constitutional monarchy made up of 4
constituent nations ( England, Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland) and 14 overseas territories (including
Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, Bermuda, the Cayman
Islands and the British Virgin Islands).
Is characterized by the division of powers:
• Legislative power : exercised by Parliament, which in
turn is divided into two chambers, the House of
Commons and the House of Lords.
• Executive power : it is in the hands of the
government, headed by a Prime Minister. The latter is
appointed by the sovereign and is, by convention, the
head of the majority party.
• Judicial power: exercised by judges and magistrates
appointed by the sovereign, but designated by
independent commissions.

5. PARLIAMENTARISM AND
THE WESTMINSTER
MODEL
Legislative power

6. PARLIAMEN
T
• is the central institution of British politics and one of
the oldest parliaments in the world. It is the country’s
main legislative body and operates under a
constitutional monarchy, where power is shared
between the Monarch and Parliament.
• It meets at the Palace of Westminster in London and
is known for its lively debates and strong democratic
traditions.
• Parliament is responsible for proposing,
debating, and passing laws, overseeing the
government’s work, and representing the
interests of citizens.
• Parliament has also the power to approve the
national budget, monitor government actions,
and, if necessary, pass a vote of no confidence,
which can lead to the fall of the government.

7. HOUSE OF COMMONS
Is the main chamber of the British Parliament and the only one directly elected by the citizens. It
has the central role in the legislative process and control of the government.
• It is made up of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs),
each elected from a constituency in the United
Kingdom.
• Each MP represents the interests of the citizens of
their constituency and participates in debates and
votes in Parliament.
• The party with the majority of seats forms the
government and its leader becomes Prime Minister.
• General elections are held every 5 years, unless
Parliament is dissolved early.
The two fundamental parties are: the Labor Party and the
Conservative Party (or Tory Party).
The sessions take place in the famous Green Room, so
called because of the color of its desks.

8. HOUSE OF
COMMONS
Role and Functions
• Legislate: Proposes, discusses and approves
laws.
• Control the Government: Question the
ministers and can distrust the government with a
vote of no confidence.
• Approve the budget: Without the consent of the
House of Commons, the Government cannot
spend public money.
• Representing citizens: MPs carry forward the
demands of the people who elected them.
Legislative Procedure
1. A bill is presented and discussed.
2.Go through several readings and reviews.
3.It is voted on and, if approved, goes to the
House of Lords for further review.
4.After any changes, it returns to the House of
Commons for final approval.
5.Once approved by both houses, the King (or
Queen) signs the law with Royal Assent.

9. HOUSE OF
LORDS
Is the second chamber of the British Parliament and has an auditing and advisory role. It is not
elected by the people and its members are appointed for life or inherit the title.
• It currently has around 800 members (number
varies)
Members are divided into three main categories:
• Lords for life (Life Peers) : Appointed by the King on
the advice of the Prime Minister for political,
scientific, cultural or economic merits.
• Hereditary Peers : There were once many, but
today only 92 retain the right to sit in the Chamber.
• Bishops of the Church of England (Lords
Spiritual) : 26 members of the Anglican Church with
voting rights.
The sessions take place in the famous Red Room, so
called because of the color of its desks.

10. HOUSE OF
LORDS
Roles and Functions
• Review of laws They examine, modify and
→
propose amendments to bills approved by the
House of Commons.
• Debate and consultancy They discuss topics
→
of national interest and offer expert opinions.
• Verification of the government They
→
monitor and question ministers, although with
limited powers compared to the Municipalities.
• Justice Until 2009, the House of Lords served
→
as the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom,
but today this role is performed by a separate
court.

11. THE BRITISH PRIME
MINISTER
Esecutive power

12. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland is the head of government of the
United Kingdom and exercises executive power, along with
some functions historically entrusted to the monarch,
who is the head of state. Specifically, their powers derive
from the Royal Prerogative (1655), and formally, the Prime
Minister acts "on the advice" of the sovereign (this is the
official formula). They also hold the now largely symbolic
title of First Lord of the Treasury and are, therefore, a
member of the Privy Council.
Since July 5, 2024, the Prime Minister has been the Labour
politician Sir Keir Starmer.
THE PRIME
MINISTER

13. HISTORICAL
ORIGINS• The position of the Prime Minister
developed in the 18th century with Sir
Robert Walpole (1721-1742), considered
the first de facto Prime Minister.
• The role evolved over time, becoming a key
element of the British parliamentary
system.
• Formally, the Prime Minister is appointed
by the monarch, but in practice, they must
have the confidence of the House of
Commons.
• The evolution of the role has been driven by
the increasing centralization of executive
power and the growth of the modern party
system.
10 Downing Street is the residence of the Prime
Minister of the United Kingdom

14. • The Prime Minister is chosen
from among the members of
the House of Commons.
• They must be the leader of
the party that holds the
parliamentary majority.
• The appointment is
formalized by the monarch
but follows the principle of
parliamentary confidence.
• The Prime Minister must
demonstrate leadership
skills, public support, and
competence in managing
government affairs.
• Leads the executive and
coordinates government
policies.
• Represents the United
Kingdom internationally and in
diplomatic relations.
• Advises the monarch on
appointments and political
decisions.
• Oversees ministers and
ensures the implementation of
the government’s program.
• Can reshuffle the cabinet and
redefine political priorities
based on the country’s needs.
APPOINTMENT
AND
REQUIREMENT
S
MAIN
FUNCTIONS

15. THE SUPREME COURT
Judicial power

16. The UK judicial system is independent of the other two powers. This
is guaranteed by law. Magisters cannot be removed from their
work without an impeachment formal process or for a bad
misconduct.
One of the most important elements of this kind of power is the
common law that is made up by the decisions of the differents
judges (stare decisis) and it is still used by british ex colonies.
With the “judicial review“ magisters can control the legitimacy of
the Govern’s decisions.
Judicial power

17. SUPREME
COURT OF
THE UNITED
KINGDOM
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is
the most powerful giuridical section in the
Govern. It was born in 2009 to replace the
House of Lords that until now acted also as a
Supreme Court
It has different main functions:
• Supreme Court’s decisions cannot be
changed
• It is involved in the resolution of major
constitutional issues.
• is responsible for the correct application
of the laws
• can resolve conflicts between the laws of
different jurisdictions

18. THE MONARCH
Head of State

19. MONARCH
The British monarch is the head of state of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth
countries. Currently, the sovereign is King Charles III, who ascended the throne on 8 September
2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Succession to the Throne
Succession to the British throne is governed by a combination
of laws and traditions.
Historically, the line of succession followed male
primogeniture, favoring male descendants. However, with the
introduction of the Succession to the Crown Act 2013,
absolute primogeniture was adopted, allowing the firstborn,
regardless of gender, to inherit the throne.
Furthermore, this act removed the disqualification for those
who marry Roman Catholics, while maintaining the exclusion
for practicing Catholics, as the monarch is also the head of
the Church of England.

20. MONARCH
Role and Powers of the Sovereign:
In the British constitutional monarchy, the sovereign
primarily performs ceremonial and symbolic
functions.
• Appointment of the Prime Minister: The
monarch appoints the leader of the party that
has obtained the majority in the House of
Commons.
• Royal Sanction: Formally, every law passed by
Parliament requires the sanction of the monarch
to become effective.
• Convocation and Dissolution of Parliament:
The sovereign convenes and can dissolve
Parliament, but these actions are carried out on
the advice of the Prime Minister.
• Awarding of Honors: The monarch awards titles
of nobility and other honors.
It is important to note that, despite these
prerogatives, the monarch acts in accordance with
constitutional custom and on the advice of
responsible ministers.
Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the
sovereign of the United Kingdom

21. Charge Duration
The monarch of the United Kingdom holds office
for life, unless he abdicates. Abdication is a rare
event in British history; a significant example is
that of Edward VIII in 1936, who abdicated to
marry Wallis Simpson, a divorced American, a
choice that caused a constitutional crisis.
MONARCH
Recent History of British Sovereigns:
• George V (1910-1936): During his reign, the
royal family changed the name of the house
from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor in 1917,
due to anti-German sentiment during the
First World War.
• Edward VIII (1936): Abdicated after less than a
year of reign to marry Wallis Simpson, causing
a constitutional crisis.
• George VI (1936-1952): He ascended the
throne after the abdication of his brother
Edward VIII and led the country during the
Second World War.
• Elizabeth II (1952-2022): Her reign was the
longest in British history, characterized by
significant social and political change,
including decolonization and the evolution of
the Commonwealth.
• Charles III (2022–present): Accessed the
throne on 8 September 2022, following the
death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

22. THE UNWRITTEN
CONSTITUTION:
“CONSTITUTIONAL
DOCUMENTS”

23. MAGNA CARTA
What is it?
The Magna Carta, Latin for "Great Charter," is a
foundational document signed by King John of
England in 1215. It aimed to limit the power of
the monarchy and ensure certain legal rights
for citizens.
Key Points:
• It established the principle that everyone,
including the king, is subject to the law.
• It protected rights like the right to a fair
trial and protection from arbitrary
imprisonment.
• It laid the groundwork for the development
of constitutional law in England and inspired
later documents, including the US
Constitution.
Significance:
The Magna Carta is considered a cornerstone of

24. BILL OF RIGHTS
What is it?
The Bill of Rights, enacted in 1689, is a landmark
statute in England that outlined specific rights of
Parliament and individuals, limiting the power of the
monarchy.
Key Points:
• It reinforced parliamentary supremacy over the
monarchy and set limits on royal power.
• Key provisions include the right to free elections,
the right to petition the king, and protection
from cruel and unusual punishment.
• It was influenced by earlier documents like the
Magna Carta and played a key role in shaping
constitutional democracy.
Significance:
It directly influenced the creation of the United
States Bill of Rights and is a key part of the
development of constitutional law.

25. BREXIT
Curiosity

26. BREXIT
Brexit is the process of the United Kingdom
leaving the European Union, which officially
began in 2016 when the British government
held a referendum asking citizens whether they
wanted to remain in the EU or leave. The
majority of voters (51.9%) chose to leave,
triggering a series of negotiations and political
decisions that had significant impacts both in
the UK and the EU.
The exit process was long and complex, with
many negotiations between the UK
government and the EU to determine the terms
of the separation. Eventually, the UK formally
left the EU on January 31, 2020, but the
transition period continued until December 31,
2020, to finalize agreements on future relations
between the two entities.

27. BREXIT
One of the main reasons many Brits voted for Brexit was the desire to regain control over
laws, borders, and economic policies, particularly regarding immigration. The decision also
raised economic, political, and social concerns both in Great Britain and among EU member
states.
Economically, Brexit had a significant impact on trade, investment, and the workforce.
Businesses had to adapt to new customs and regulatory rules, while the UK had to
renegotiate trade deals with various countries, both within and outside the EU.
Brexit continues to have long-term implications, both politically and economically, and
discussions on how to manage its effects are still ongoing.

28. THANKS
for your attention