Seminar 2
The British Isles. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland: General Information
1. Geographical Features.
The British Isles are a group of islands located off the northwestern coast of
Europe. They include two main islands, Great Britain and Ireland, along with
numerous smaller islands and archipelagos, such as the Hebrides, the Shetland
Islands, the Orkney Islands, the Isles of Scilly, and the Isle of Man. The Channel
Islands are sometimes also considered part of this group. Apart from the land
border with the Irish republic, the United Kingdom is surrounded by sea.
2. National Symbols.
The flag of the United Kingdom, known as the Union Jack, is made up of three
crosses. The upright red cross on a white background is the cross of the 1st George,
the patron saint of England. The white diagonal cross on a blue background is the
cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, The red diagonal cross on a
white background is the cross of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
The Welsh flag, called the Welsh dragon, represents a red dragon on a white and
green background.
In the Royal Arms three lions symbolize England, a lion rampant — Scotland, and
a harp — Ireland. The whole is encircled and is supported by a lion and a unicorn.
The lion has been used as a symbol of national strength and of the British
monarchy for many centuries. The unicorn, a mythical animal that looks like a
horse with a long straight horn, has appeared on the Scottish and British royal
coats of arms for many centuries, and is a symbol of purity.
The Statue of Britannia in Plymouth is the symbol of the UK.
The national bird of the UK is Robin Redbreast.
God Save the Queen is the national anthem of the UK. In fact, it was a patriotic
song, first performed in 1745. It became known as the national anthem at the
beginning of the 19th century. The national anthem is played whenever the British
monarch makes a public appearance. It is also played by the British Broadcasting
Corporation (the BBC) every night before closedown. Besides, it is sung at the end
of all important ceremonies, including football matches and other sports events.
3. Population. Languages.
English is widely spoken throughout the UK, but it is not the only native official
language. You may also hear:
1. Welsh in Wales
2. Gaelic and Scots in Scotland
3. Irish and Ulster Scots in Northern Ireland
4. Cornish in Cornwall, England
These languages evolved separately from English and have few common words.
While they are most often heard in rural areas, many young people now learn them
as a second language in schools, leading to a revival of these languages.
Nevertheless, no matter where you are in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, or
Wales, English remains the primary language, and people speak it fluently.
The total population of the United Kingdom in 2024 is estimated to be 68,459,055,
with 34,005,445 males and 34,453,610 females.
The demographic breakdown of the United Kingdom is as follows: 87.2% White,
3% Black/African/Caribbean/Black British, 2.3% Asian/Asian British: Indian,
1.9% Asian/Asian British: Pakistani, 2% Mixed, and 3.7% Other.
Earlier: the Iberians, who were the early inhabitants and invaders; the Celts; the
Romans; the Anglo-Saxons; the Danes; the Normans.
At present: the British, including the English, the Scottish, the Welsh, the Irish; the
nationality: a Britisher – a British subject – a Briton.
4. Religion.
The religious composition of the United Kingdom is as follows: 59.5% Christian
(including Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Methodist), 4.4% Muslim,
1.3% Hindu, 2% other religions, 7.2% unspecified, and 25.7% with no religion.
5. System of Government.
Britain's government system is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional
monarchy. Parliamentary democracy means that U.K. nationals have the power to
elect their legislative representatives, whose work is to present the citizen's
interests to the government. A constitutional monarchy is whereby the king or the
queen serves as the head of state but has limited authority. This is in contrast to
absolute monarchy, whereby the king or the queen has all the powers.
Britain does not have a written constitution, but a set of laws.
Parliament is the most important authority in Britain. Technically Parliament is
made up of three parts: the Monarch, the House of Lords; and the House of
Commons. In reality the House of Commons is the only one of the three which
has true power.
The monarch serves formally as head of state. But the monarch is expected to
be politically neutral and should not make political decisions.
The House of Commons consists of Members of Parliament. There are 650 of
them in the House of Commons. They are elected by secret ballot. General
elections are held every five years. The country is divided into 650
constituencies. All citizens, aged 18 and registered in a constituency, have the
right to vote. But voting is not compulsory in Britain. Only persons convicted of
corrupt and certain mentally ill patients don't take part in voting.
The functions of the House of Commons are legislation and scrutiny of
government activities. The House of Commons is presided over by the Speaker.
The Speaker is appointed by the Government.
The House of Lords comprises about 1,200 peers. It is presided by the Lord
Chancellor. The House of Lords has no real power. It acts rather as an advisory
council.
It's in the House of Commons that new bills are introduced and debated. If the
majority of the members are in favour of a bill, it goes to the House of Lords to
be debated. The House of Lords has the right to reject a new bill twice.
But after two rejections they are obliged to accept it. And finally a bill goes to
the monarch to be signed. Only then it becomes law.
Parliament is responsible for British national policy. Local governments are
responsible for organizing of education, police and many others.
6. Main Political Parties.
There are few political parties in Britain thanks to the British electoral system. The
main ones are: the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal / Social
Democratic Alliance.
Each political party puts up one candidate for each constituency. The one who
wins the most votes is elected MP for that area.
The Conservative Party, which is the ruling party in the UK, is often called the
Tory Party. The word “tory” means an Irish highwayman and was applied to the
conservatives by their opponents.
The Labour Party is the other ruling party that was founded by the Trade
Unions, and has always been the opposition to the Conservative Party.
The members of the Liberal Party were called Whigs by the Tories. A whig was
a Scottish preacher, who could go on for four or five hours at a time preaching
moralizing sermons. The party stopped existing in 1988.
The Party of Liberal Democrats was formed in 1988 on the basis of the Liberal
Party and the Social Democratic Party; the latter appeared in 1981. The
Conservative and Liberal Parties are the oldest parties. They were the only
parties elected to the House of Commons until the end of the 19th century.
