SHREYA RAWAT

SEC: ‘B’
ROLL NO: 22/854

Ques. Elaborate on the key features of the British Parliamentary

system? What are the 2 systems of check and balance to ensure a
democratic system?

The British parliamentary system is a democratic form of governance

based on a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary sovereignty. It
follows the Westminster model, where the executive (the
government) is derived from and accountable to the legislature
(Parliament). This system ensures responsible government through
principles such as collective ministerial responsibility, rule of law, and
regular elections. Over time, various mechanisms, including checks
and balances, have been developed to prevent the concentration of
power and uphold democratic values. The system’s emphasis on
accountability and legal oversight makes it one of the most influential
models of parliamentary democracy worldwide.

Historical Background of Britain

Early Invasions from the Continent (55 B.C.–A.D. 1066)
The earliest inhabitants of Britain were the Celts, who arrived
between 800 and 200 B.C. They formed the foundation of the Irish,
Scots, and Welsh populations. The first major invasion occurred in 55
B.C., when the Romans invaded Britain and occupied England and
Wales. Roman rule established a centralized political and economic
system, pushing the Celts to the western and northern regions.
However, when the Romans withdrew in the 5th century, Britain
became vulnerable to Germanic invasions. The Angles and Saxons
arrived, giving rise to the term "Anglo-Saxon England." The country
faced further disruptions when the Vikings raided in the 8th and 9th
centuries. The last successful invasion was led by William, Duke of
Normandy, in 1066, which resulted in the establishment of Norman
rule in England.

The End of Feudalism and the Expansion of the State (1215-

1707)
During the medieval period, Britain operated under a feudal system,
where the monarch ruled by divine right, and aristocrats controlled
land and governance. However, in 1215, King John signed the Magna
Carta, a landmark document that limited the king’s power and laid
the foundation for constitutional rule.
A major shift occurred in 1265 when the first Parliament was
convened. Though initially controlled by aristocrats, it marked the
beginning of parliamentary governance. Over time, tensions between
the monarchy and Parliament escalated, culminating in the English
Civil War (1642-1649), which led to a brief republic under Oliver
Cromwell. The monarchy was restored in 1660, but when King James
II attempted to reclaim absolute power, the Glorious Revolution
(1688) ensured the supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy,
leading to the Bill of Rights (1689).
In the subsequent centuries, England consolidated power over its
neighbours, uniting with Wales (1536-1542) and Scotland (1707) to
form Great Britain. Ireland was gradually brought under British
control, culminating in its full integration by the 18th century.

Economic and Political Change (17th-19th Centuries)

Britain’s transformation into an industrial power in the 18th and 19th
centuries reshaped its governance. The Industrial Revolution led to
the rise of a middle class, which began demanding political
representation. Parliament, still dominated by aristocrats, was
pressured to reform the electoral system. Over time, voting rights
were extended to wealthy industrialists, the middle class, and
eventually women.
The British Empire expanded globally, covering vast territories across
Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. However, World War I
and World War II weakened Britain’s dominance, leading to
decolonization in the mid-20th century.

Postwar Adjustment and the Welfare State (1945-1975)

After World War II, Britain faced economic challenges and declining
global influence. The Labour Party, elected in 1945, introduced the
welfare state, nationalized industries, and established the National
Health Service (NHS). Despite economic struggles, Britain joined the
European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973, reflecting its shifting
priorities.

The Thatcher Revolution and Modern Britain

In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister and introduced
free-market policies, privatization, and labor reforms. While her
policies boosted the economy, they also widened social inequalities.
Britain today operates within the European political framework,
though it remains somewhat skeptical about deep integration with
the European Union. It faces challenges like regionalism,
immigration, and economic fluctuations but remains a strong
parliamentary democracy.
Key Features of the British Parliamentary System

1. Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Sovereignty

The UK follows a constitutional monarchy, meaning that while the

country has a monarch (currently King Charles III), their powers are
mostly symbolic and limited by law. Unlike absolute monarchs of the
past, the King does not have direct control over governance. Instead,
the real power is in the hands of Parliament and the government,
which are democratically elected. The monarch is little more than a
ceremonial head of state, expected to be neutral symbol of history,
stability, tradition and national identity. The present monarch King
Charles is limited to the following so called reserve powers:
1. Appointing the Prime Minister – The King appoints the leader who
can command confidence in the House of Commons, usually the
majority party leader.
2. Dismissing the Prime Minister – The King can remove a Prime
Minister who has lost Parliament’s confidence but refuses to resign,
though this is rare.
3. Dissolving Parliament and Calling Elections – The King can dissolve
Parliament and call a general election, but this is done on the Prime
Minister’s advice.
4. Withholding Royal Assent – The King can veto legislation by
refusing to sign a bill into law, though this power has not been used
since 1708.
5. Summoning and Proroguing Parliament – The King can open and
close parliamentary sessions, usually as a formality.
6. Appointing and Dismissing Ministers – The King formally appoints
or removes ministers, but only on the Prime Minister’s
recommendation.
7. Granting Pardons – The King can issue royal pardons, mainly in
cases of wrongful conviction or special circumstances.
These powers are rarely exercised independently and are mostly
carried out on the advice of the government.

Another fundamental principle of the UK system is parliamentary

sovereignty, which means that Parliament is the supreme legal
authority in the country. No other body, including the courts or the
monarch, can override or set limits on Parliament’s laws. Parliament
can amend or repeal any law, including constitutional laws, without
restrictions.

This principle makes the British parliamentary system highly flexible,

as laws and governance structures can be changed without requiring
a rigid constitutional amendment process.

2. Bicameral Legislature: Two-House Parliament

The Parliament is responsible for creating debating amd passing
laws. It consists of two chambers:
1. The House of Commons (Lower House)
2. The House of Lords (Upper House)
Both houses work together to review and approve laws, but they
have different powers and responsibilities.
1. The House of Commons
The House of Commons is the more powerful house in the UK
Parliament. It is made up of Members of Parliament (MPs), who are
elected by the people in general elections.
650 MPs represent different constituencies across the UK elected by
direct universal vote from single member districts. Debates are
presided over by a Speaker, who is elected by the house from among
its members and usually comes from majority party. The governing
party sits on one side, with the prime minister and senior members
on the first bench. The leader of the opposition sits opposite the PM
and challenges government policies.
The Commons is responsible for:
1. Making Laws – Debates and passes bills that become laws.
2. Holding the Government Accountable – Questions the PM and
ministers in Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) and other sessions.
3. Approving Taxes & Budget – Controls government spending and
taxation.
4. Debating National Issues – Discusses policies on health, education,
defense, etc.
The House of Commons has more power than the House of Lords. If
a bill is rejected by the Lords, the Commons can override it in some
cases.

2. The House of Lords

The House of Lords is the unelected part of Parliament. Members are
appointed rather than elected.
For now, it has 4 kinds of members
Life Peers – Appointed experts (e.g., scientists, business leaders).
Hereditary Peers – Members who inherit their titles (a small number
remain).
The Law Lords – These are the 12 nominated judges who functions as
the supreme court of appeal for civil and criminal cases.
The Religious Leaders – These consists of 2 archbishops and 24
bishops of the Church of England.
Except for Bishops, most member of House of Lords belong to one of
the major political parties.
Roles & Responsibilities:
1. Reviewing & Amending Laws – Scrutinizes bills passed by the
Commons and suggests changes.
2. Holding the Government Accountable – Questions ministers and
investigates issues.
3. Expert Advice – Provides knowledge on complex matters like law,
medicine, and economics.

The House of Lords cannot permanently block laws but can delay
them and suggest amendments.

3. Prime Ministerial Government

In the British parliamentary system, the Prime Minister (PM) is the
head of government, while the monarch remains the ceremonial
head of state. The Prime Minister is always an MP and the leader of
the party that has a majority in the House of Commons.
The PM has significant powers, including power to call elections to
house of commons; appointing ministers to form the Cabinet, which
includes senior ministers responsible for different government
departments (e.g., foreign affairs, finance, health) and dismissing
ministers; setting government policy and legislative agenda ;
representing the UK in international affairs.
Ministers are collectively responsible for government decisions. Even
if they disagree privately, they must publicly support the
government's policies. If a minister strongly disagrees, they are
expected to resign rather than publicly oppose the government.

4. Fusion of Powers (Executive and Legislature)

Unlike the separation of powers seen in presidential systems (like
the U.S.), the UK follows a fusion of powers between the executive
(government) and the legislature (Parliament). This means that the
Prime Minister and Cabinet are also Members of Parliament (MPs)
and directly participate in legislative debates and decision-making.
The government must maintain the confidence of Parliament,
particularly the House of Commons. This system ensures that the
executive is directly accountable to the legislature, as Parliament can
question ministers, reject laws, or even remove the government
through a vote of no confidence.
While this fusion of powers creates efficiency in decision-making, it
also raises concerns about executive dominance over Parliament,
particularly when one party holds a strong majority.

5. Party System and Majority Rule

The UK has a strong party system, where political parties play a
crucial role in governance. The two dominant parties are:
- The Conservative Party (right-wing)
- The Labour Party(left-wing)
Other parties, such as the Liberal Democrats and regional parties
(e.g., the Scottish National Party), also influence politics.
The UK uses the FPTP system for general elections. In each
constituency, the candidate with the most votes wins the seat, even
if they don’t have an absolute majority. This often leads to single-
party majority governments, which ensures stability but can also lead
to disproportionate representation.
If a party wins more than half the seats in the Commons, it forms a
majority government and can pass laws easily. If no party has a
majority, a coalition government or minority government is formed,
where parties must negotiate to stay in power.

6. Independent Judiciary
The British parliamentary system ensures an independent judiciary,
which acts as a guardian of the rule of law. Judges are appointed
based on merit and remain free from political interference, ensuring
impartiality in legal decisions. While parliamentary sovereignty
remains a core principle, the judiciary plays a crucial role in
interpreting laws and protecting individual rights. The Constitutional
Reform Act of 2005 further strengthened judicial independence by
establishing the UK Supreme Court, separating judicial functions from
the House of Lords. This safeguards democracy by preventing
arbitrary use of power and upholding fundamental freedoms.

7. Conventions and Unwritten Constitution

The Constitution of the United Kingdom is a set of laws, principles,
and conventions that define how the country is governed. Unlike
many other nations, the UK does not have a single written
constitution. Instead, it is uncodified, meaning its rules and principles
come from multiple sources.
Sources of UK Constitution are as follows:
- Statute law – Laws passed by Parliament (e.g., Human Rights Act
1998).
- Common law – Legal precedents set by courts.
- Constitutional conventions – Long-standing political customs, such
as the PM being the leader of the majority party.
This unwritten system allows flexibility but also creates uncertainty,
as conventions are not legally binding.

Two Systems of Checks and Balances in a

Democracy
1. Legislative Oversight on the Executive (Parliamentary
Accountability)
The legislature (Parliament) monitors and controls the executive
(government) to ensure it does not abuse power.
- Vote of No Confidence: The legislature can remove the
government if it loses majority support.
- Question Time & Committees: MPs question ministers and
investigate government actions to ensure transparency.
- Budget Control: Parliament approves government spending to
prevent misuse of public funds.
2. Judicial Review and Constitutional Checks
Judiciary ensures government actions and laws follow the
constitution.
- Judicial Review: Courts can overturn unconstitutional laws or
policies.
- Rule of Law: No one, including the government, is above the law.
- Protection of Rights: Courts safeguard fundamental rights from
government overreach.
These mechanisms keep power balanced, prevent authoritarianism,
and uphold democracy.

Conclusion:
The British parliamentary system balances democratic
representation, government efficiency, and accountability. Its unique
combination of constitutional monarchy, parliamentary sovereignty,
fusion of powers, and conventions makes it both flexible and
historically resilient. However, debates over reforms—such as House
of Lords reform, electoral system changes, and greater separation of
powers—continue to shape the evolution of the system.