THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT TODAY

QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Born on April 21, 1926.

Her father was King George VI.

She was a mechanic during WWII.

She married Prince Philip in 1947.

She ascended to the throne on February 6 1952.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S REIGN

She began her political duties immediately.

Her first Prime Minister was Winston Churchill.

She celebrated 50 years as Queen in 2002.

Since 1952, The Queen has conferred almost 400,000 awards and honors.

The Queen has undertaken over 256 official overseas visits to 129 different countries during her reign.

LINE OF SUCCESSION The first born son of the sovereign had

been, for centuries, the first in line for the throne.

Oct. 28, 2011- CHANGE: If Will and Kate's first child is a girl, it's now clear that she'll probably become queen one day — and not even getting a little brother can mess that up.

The Commonwealth countries agreed Friday to change centuries-old rules of succession that put sons on the throne ahead of any older sisters. So that hypothetical daughter of Prince William and Kate Middleton — now known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge — would have a prime place in history: the first princess to beat out any younger brothers and accede to the throne. STILL NEEDS TO BE OFFICALLY APPROVED!!

Catholics are ineligible for the throne . Illegitimate children are also denied the

crown.

CURRENT HEIRS TO THE THRONE

1. Charles, Prince of Wales (First born son).

2. Prince William of Wales (First born son of the Prince of Wales).

3. Prince Henry of Wales (Second born son of the Prince of Wales).

4. Prince Andrew, The Duke of York (Second born son of the Queen).

5. Princess Beatrice of York (First born daughter of the Duke of York)

THE PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

The Parliament is divided between two houses.

The Upper House-The House of Lords

The Lower House-The House of Commons.

The Parliament is the legislative authority in the United Kingdom.

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

This house has 650 elected members.

The Prime Minister is selected from the majority party.

Members can ask for a vote of no confidence in the government.

Most bills are introduced here.

THE HOUSE OF LORDS

Members are not elected.

They are divided into two groups. Lords Temporal, and Lords Spiritual.

Cannot ask for vote of confidence in government.

PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

Highest political authority in the UK.

Advises the Sovereign on many of her duties.

Guides the direction of the legislature.

The public face and voice of the government.

Appoints cabinet members.

CABINET OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

The decision making body of the UK.

Made up of the Prime Minister and the 22 heads of departments.

The Prime Minister can appoint or dismiss members of the cabinet.

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM ABSOLUTISM?