There is a two party system in the UK (United Kingdom) with parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. Sovereign (His Majesty / The Crown / Monarch / King / Queen) is merely an appointing authority and His Majesty’s assent is required to make an Act of the parliament. The UK is divided into 650 constituencies; each sends one MP (member of Parliament) to the House of Commons. MPs have a five year term. The British parliament consists of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Crown. After elections, the sovereign invites the majority party in the House of Commons to make a government. Then the Prime Minister chooses members from the parliament to make his cabinet by the consent of the monarch. All important ministries are under the cabinet minister. The Prime Minister is the head of the cabinet and makes final decision making. Cabinet ministers are answerable for their ministries. The Cabinet is answerable as a whole to the parliament. When the cabinet discusses a matter, they criticise and reject the proposals in the meeting. But, once they agree to a final conclusion, they both agree and do not reveal the discussions or disagreement with the final outcome. After the final decision, they defend this in the house of the commons. Rejection of a major legislative bill or loss of vote of confidence means the abolishment of the cabinet or the collective resignation of the cabinet members.
Powers of British (UK) Cabinet and its Dictatorship: Reasons are given below:
Political Stability (Bipartisan): Because of the two party system, there is no joint government system. In this way, only one party makes government. Otherwise, a party who makes a government by joining other parties, works under pressure from other parties. One party makes policies without any other party’s pressure and the other party’s threat to abolish the government.
Unitary system: All powers vested in the central government and central government is under the cabinet of the UK. Thus, all legislative and executive powers are under the British Cabinet.
Party rigidity: Political parties have their specific agenda and rules to follow. They do not go against the basic agenda of the political party. If they have to, they leave the party. In this way party rigidity makes the party strong and cohesive. Hence, they support the party blindly in the parliament, whether it agrees or not to the decision of the cabinet.
Power to dissolve the House of Commons: The British Cabinet has the power to dissolve the house of Commons on the advice of the PM. Parliament does not create trouble for the cabinet. Because, all the members of the Commons want to complete their term.
Collective Responsibility makes Cabinet unite: As we discussed earlier, Cabinet members are answerable as a whole to the parliament. Every cabinet minister blindly supports the decision in the parliament, maybe he was against it in the secret meeting of the cabinet. This collective responsibility makes them together in all conditions.
No fear of the House of Lords: UK Cabinet has no influence or fear of the House of Lords. Now the Cabinet enjoys all powers in her hand, formerly enjoyed by the Lords. The Crown gave his assent in the final decisions of the Cabinet.
Legislation Power: Parliament initiates a law and details are filled mostly by executive institutes. The Cabinet being the head of the executive makes laws according to her wish. Cabinet selects the issue to be presented in the parliament and fixes the time limit for discussion.
Control over National Finance: Finance bills are passed by the Cabinet.
Emergency Powers: During World War 1 and 2, all the economic, political and foreign relations powers were delegated to the Cabinet. Since then, these powers are under the Cabinet.
Control over Appointments: Major appointments in the executive departments are made by the Cabinet.
Adviser to the Crown: Cabinet is the adviser to the Crown. Before the parliamentary system in Britain, there was monarchy. Kings have their cabinet. Cabinet members, who advised him in political affairs, were only advisory council. But now all the powers are vested in the cabinet.
So called opposition: Opposition in the parliament has no power because of the minority. Because of one party government system, all the bills and decisions go in favour of the cabinet. Opposition criticises only, and does not make a disturbance due to the fear of dissolution.
Powers of the British Prime Minister: All the powers enjoyed by the Cabinet are the powers of the British Prime Minister, who is the head of the Cabinet. He can dismiss any minister on his discretion. He is the head of the executive. He is the supreme adviser to the King. In the time of crisis citizens look at him. No doubt public opinion influences him.
Speaker of House of Commons: Speaker of the commons is the highest authority, who presides over the debates of the house. After assuming the post of Speaker, he has to renounce all affiliations to the former political party. He can not vote or debate in favour of any party. The Speaker represents the Commons to the Crown. He may punish members for misconduct. He is responsible for order in the house. He chooses which bill is going to be discussed in the house.
Law making process in UK
A bill is proposed in either house of the parliament, house of Lords or Commons to become a law or to amend in a law.
For example, if a bill is presented in the House of Commons, First reading occurs and is printed as house of Commons paper.
The 2nd step is Second reading, where all MPs give their opinions and vote, whether the bill should move further.
The 3rd step is Committee stage, where the specific committee examines the bill deeply and makes necessary changes.
The 4th step is the Reporting stage, where the bill is represented in the house for full debate and final change.
5th step is Third reading, where the house finally passes or rejects the bill.
If the bill is passed, it goes to the house of Lords and the same procedure repeats as of the house of Commons.
If the house of Lords passes it, it goes for royal assent and becomes a law.
For example, if the House of Lords makes some changes in the bill, it is sent back to the Commons to pass. If Commons passes it, it moves to royal assent to become a Law. Otherwise, if the House of Lords reject it or make changes, it becomes ping-pong and moves back and forth between both the houses. In some cases, if the house of lords doesn't agree with Commons, it could become a law through Parliament Acts by the house of the Commons.