BRITAIN AND THE COMMONWEALTH

Britain is an active member of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 51 independent states which originated in the progressive dismantling of the British Empire after 1945.

The present members of the Commonwealth have many different styles of government. Some of the countries such as Canada ,are monarchies and recognize the Queen as their Head of State; others, such as India, choose their own Heads of State; some countries , such as the Falkland Islands, are British colonies rely on Britain for defence. All of the countries recognize the Queen as the Head of the Commonwealth; she is also head of State in 16 member countries. Consultation between members takes place through official meetings, as well as through diplomatic representatives and non-governmental organisations and other international discussions. Britain provides 30 per cent of the finances for the Commonwealth Secretariat and about 30 per cent for the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation, which provides expertise to all developing countries within the Commonwealth.

SYMBOLS OF GREAT BRITAIN

London is the capital of England. The national anthemof the UK is ‘God save the Queen.’

The symbol of the country is BRITANIA, the female embodiment wearing a helmet and holding the trident (the symbol of power over sea). The figure of BRITANIA has been on the riverside of many British coins for more than 300 years.

Britain’s flag is called the “Union Jack”. There are really three flags on the top of each other. The red cross is on the white background of St George for England. Saint George’s Day is celebrated on 23 April. The white “X” is on the blue background of St Andrew for Scotland. Saint Andrew’s Day is celebrated on 30 November. The red “X” on white background of St Patrick for Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on 17 March.

The Welsh flag shows a dragon. It isn’t represented on the British flag. Saint David is the patron saint of Wales. St David’s day is celebrated on 1 March.

It is worth remembering that the Union Jack is more popular in England than in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The reason is that the Welsh, Scottish and Irish do not like being reminded of the time when they lost their independence to England.

In 1603 James V1 of Scotland (Stuart) became also James 1 of England when Queen Elizabeth1 of England died without children. In 1651 Scotland was united with England. Edinburghis the capital of Scotland

In 1301 after defeating the native princes of Wales, King Edward 1 of England named his son Prince of Wales. In 1536 Wales was brought into the English system of national and local government by the Act of Union. Cardiffis the capital of Wales.

Only in 1800 an act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland was signed. Belfast is the capital of Ireland.

LANGUAGES

Most British people speak English, but Gaelic is also spoken in the west and north of Scotland and in the Northern Ireland. Welsh is spoken by over half a million people in Wales.

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

THE QUEEN AND PARLIAMENT

The Queen’s constitutional role is mainly symbolic. The Queen and the royal family continue to take part in many traditional ceremonies. Their visits to many other countries attract considerable interest and publicity, and they are also closely involved in the work of many charities.

PARLIAMENT

Only members of Commons are known as MPs –Members of Parliament. The Commons is more important of the two Houses. Unlike MPs, members of the House of Lords (‘peers’) are not elected. The modern House of Lords has little real power nowadays. The power to refuse a proposal for a law ( which has been agreed by the Commons) is limited.

A proposed law (a bill) has to go through three stages (readings) to become an Act of Parliament. If the majority of MPs vote for the bill, it is sent to the House of Lords. When the Lords agree it is taken to the Queen for Royal assent.

POLITICAL PARTIES

Conservative - партия Консерваторов

Labour - партия Лейбористов

Liberal Democrat – партия Либерал демократов

Welsh Nationalists - партия Уэльса

Scottish National - Шотландская национальная партия

Ulster Unionist (Northern Ireland) – Демократическая Юнионистская

The Prime Minister is David Cameron (May 2010)

The Deputy Minister is Nick Clegg

RELIGION

The Church of England, which was separated from the Roman Catholic in the 16^th century, is the Established Church (Anglican)

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Britain has diplomatic relations with 169 countries. The UK is the member of some 120 inter-national organisations, including the European Community (EC); the United Nations (UN), where it is a permanent member of the Security Council; the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and the Commonwealth.

Britain’s principal agency for cultural relations overseas is the British Council.

The UK is fully committed to the principles of the United Nations and its Charter, maintaining peace, assist developing countries and protect human rights and freedom.

LONDON

London was founded in the first century A.D. by the Romans. In the 11th century it became the capital of England. Medieval London grew as a trading centre and in 1215 its citizens won the right to elect their own leader, the Lord Mayor.

London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is the largest city in Europe. The population of London is about 7.4 million of people. The river Thames on which London stands is navigable and that played an important part in the city’s development. London consists of 33 separate boroughs (districts). Traditionally London is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, The West End, and the East End.

The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. The Bank of London and the Stock are in the City too. Among the multitude of London streets there are well-known streets even outside the City. Oxford Street and Regent Street are major shopping areas, Fleet Street continuous to be used as a synonym for the British press. Downing Street 8 is the official residence of the Prime Minister. Buckingham Palace is the Queen’s official London residence.

Everybody knows the double-decker buses of England, and the most famous red ones have run through London since 1956. The London Underground, or the Tube, runs both above and below the ground. It is the oldest and the biggest underground system in the world- its operations began in 1863.

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