Californian Reacts to Who's in charge of Britain?

The Queen? Prime Minister?
The Prime Minister isn't elected by the people?

Can we find out who ACTUALLY is in charge of Britain?

#UK #Queen #Britain

[CalifornianReacting]

Comedy and education at it's finest!

But... who is actually in charge?

[Jamie_D]

Like most if not all countries our parliament/government has many flaws, but with that being said i think it works better than the equivalent in many countries, like at least if something clearly good for the country is suggested, then most of the time the opposition will support it, where as in the states for example it seems like the equivalent would block things just for the sake of it even if it's good for everyone.

[timglennon]

Prime Minister’s Question’s can be funny to watch sometimes. They act like kids in kindergarten. 😂

[col]

We understand the difference between a Head of State and a Head of Government

[revbenf]

As many have said, our governance has its flaws, and these days generates a lot of apathy sadly, since many others would die, or indeed are dying (Ukraine) to have what we have. While the Commons chamber is the rowdy epicentre, a massive amount of cross-party work gets done behind the scenes, examining key issues, calling key public servants and others to account etc. The House of Lords is often decried as outdated and undemocratic, however, there are many who get there because of hard work and expertise, and they check and examine legislation to ensure it will actually work. All in all, it works well. And having a non partisan Head of State is a very very good thing in my opinion!

[martingibbs]

A nice video that gives a good simplistic overview of UK democracy but unfortunately misses out a big section of the government, namely the civil service. I recommend the comedies "yes minister" and its sequel "Yes, prime minister", which does a very good job of explaining the workings of Westminster in a humorous fashion.

[Anna-ezij]

I don’t have a problem with the rows. Politics is passion.
Often looked at other models, & then I look at our old girl of country, & it’s been going in one form or another for over 1000 years. So us Brits must be getting something right.

[johnkemp]

The House of Commons chamber is deliberately designed to be confrontational, that is the two sides face each other. We do not have the sort of fan-shaped legislature that many countries have where one might quietly slip sideways to join another more congenial group. In our parliament one would 'cross the floor' which is done in the full glare if all MPs. Winston Churchill did it twice.

[paulwalden-mills]

As far as I know, the last bill not given Royal Assent (what it is called when a monarch agrees on a bill from parliament) was in 1708 by Queen Anne. George V did look at possibly not giving Royal Assent to the Government of Ireland Bill in 1914 which he did not like but did still approve it. So Elizabeth II has never not given Royal Assent on a parliamentary bill.

[glastonbury]

There's a good Ted video by an American on. Countries Constitutional Monarchies and how 10 of the top 20 democracies in the world are constitutional monarchies

[Spacebadger]

The queen's incharge she alone holds all the power !

[grizzlygamer]

It is pretty chaotic in parliament, but if you find that shocking, check out some of tge eastern European and Asian parliaments. They literally have fist fights.

[leonbrooks]

There are merits to our system but quite a bit of it now is out of date.
Firstly whilst the Royal Family have such powers it wouldn’t be wise for them to use them as they would be overthrown in a heartbeat. (this is where the UK Royal Family learned from their German and Russian cousins)
Secondly whilst our system has a lot of merits there are areas that are out of date. We use a First Past the Post system rendering elections virtually 2 Party only (especially in England) and meaning that change is virtually impossible similar to the US. We also have a stupid second tier called the House of Lords where the PM of the time can just elect a mate to earn thousands of pounds each month for hardly any work for the rest of their lives.
The last point I would make is that whilst this did cover our main political system it also gets far more complicated in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In these countries they have certain devolved powers and their own more local governments.

[generaladvance]

Prime ministers questions can be fun to watch. A more civilised blood sport.

[paulbromley]

We have somehow ended up with a political and legal system that isn’t perfect but it seems to have kept us free and safe for a long time, compared to some democracies. The Queen provides a non political head of state with the armed forces under her rather than the government directly so checks and balances. We have had a long history of peace with slow change but positively in the main. Just look at countries like Zimbabwe, Spain, Singapore and India to see troubled systems with questionable histories and government policies.

[matthewwalker]

I am not a broad, I am a dude and a proper geezer in fact, but I am British and I think it generally works OK. There are about 60m of us here in the UK, so you won't keep everyone happy, and the consistently weak opposition in recent years has not helped in my opinion, but overall I think it is a good system that has developed over many centuries.

[barriehull]

I would argue that the USA is not a Democracy, well one that really works as it should, but what do I know.

[Mark-]

Just to clarify that the positions the Prime Minister fills in Government such as Home Secretary and Foreign Minister are chosen from the other elected MPs in parliament and a few from the House of Lords. They are normally all chosen from the PMs own party unless in the rare occasion its a coalition Government. My understanding is in the US system the President can select anyone he wants for the position and than needs voting through the Senate if I understand correctly which is a bit of a difference.

[edwardlongshanks]

Canada has the same system of government and Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state as Queen of Canada.

One big advantage of the parliamentary system as it exists in the UK, Canada, and other Commonwealth nations is that you never get the brinkmanship that regularly occurs in the USA where there is the possibility of government ceasing to function because the previous budget has expired and there has been no agreement on a new one.

The failure of a budget bill to pass is considered a non-confidence motion in the government and the party currently in power has to call a new election. But taxes keep being collected and monies spent as required based on the last budget bill that passed.

Canada enacted a law requiring elections to take place within four years of the last one but an election could take place much sooner than that either due to the government losing a non-confidence vote, unlikely in a majority government, or because the party in power figures they stand a better chance of retaining power if they call an election early rather than waiting the full four years.

[barbaradyson]

The PM runs the country BUT NO BILL CAN BE MADE LAW WITHOUT THE QUEENS SIGNATURE. PLUS SHE DOES WHEEL A LOT OF POWER THAT SHE DOESN'T USE.