British Politics

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 2

UK 

& British politics 

explained

What do you know about the UK in general?

Which countries are part of the United Kingdom?

1. England, Wales, Scotland
2. England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
3. Great-Britain, Wales, Scotland
4. England, Wales, Scotland, Northern-Ireland

What is the name of the UK flag?

1. Union Flag
2. Stars and stripes
3. Union Jack
4. State of the Union

What is
Llanfairpwllgwyngyll-gogerychwyrndrobwlllllandysiliogogogoch

1. Scottish for the Monster of Loch Ness
2. A dragon from an Old English tale
3. A famous castle in Northern-Ireland
4. A town in Wales.

What do you know about politics in the UK?

Who is the current UK Prime Minister?

1. Boris Johnson
2. Rishi Sunak
3. Liz Truss
4. Camila Parker-Bowles

Where does the UK Prime Minister live?

1. 10 Pennsylvania Avenue
2. 10 Baker street
3. 10 Downing street
4. 10 The Mall

Which two main political parties are there in the UK?

1. Democrats & Republicans
2. Conservatives & New Labour
3. Lefts & Rights
4. Thories & Whigs

What and why?

• You will learn about British politics
• You will learn about traditions connected to the state opening of parliament

• Because British politics is very different from Dutch politics
• Because British have strange habits
• Because it's fun to know about the strange things

House of commons & hous of lords

House of commons

The speaker:

• The speaker presides over the House's debates, determining which members may speak and which amendments are selected for consideration
• After being elected, the speaker is being dragged to his chair by colleagues 

Should we get a speaker in Dutch parliament as well?

1. Yay
2. Nay

House of commons

In action:

• They use yay or nay to approve or disapprove
• The atmosphere can become electric
• There are more members than places to be seated, and knowingly kept this way

Background of traditions state opening of parliament (prinsjesdag) 

How does this reflect on the state opening of parliament?

Before the Sovereign's arrival at parliament, the Yeomen of the Guard, the royal bodyguards, ceremonially search the cellars of the Palace of Westminster for explosives.

This commemorates Guy Fawkes's ‘gunpowder plot' of 1605 – a failed attempt by English Catholics to blow up the Protestant King James I and Parliament. 

The blackrod... Have a close look at the video

In the United Kingdom, Black Rod is principally responsible for controlling access to and maintaining order within the House of Lords and its precincts,[2] as well as for ceremonial events within those precincts. Since early 2018, the post has been held for the first time by a woman, Sarah Clarke.

The following slide will show you a video of one of the strange traditions on the state opening of parliament.

!Why does the black rod get the door slammed in his face?

Black Rod is sent from the Lords Chamber to the Commons Chamber to summon MPs to hear the King's Speech. Traditionally the door of the Commons is slammed in Black Rod's face to symbolise the Commons independence. He or she then bangs three times on the door with the rod.

www.google.com

What new thing(s) have you learned about the state opening of parliament?

www.parliament.uk

Aims mastered?

WHY?

• Because British politics are very different from Dutch politics
• Because British have strange habits
• Because it's fun to know about the strange traditions