How Britain is Governed
Britain consists of four countries : England, Scotland, Wales and northern lreland, the capital is the centre of government for the whole of Britain, but local authorities are partly responsible for education, health care, roads, the police and some other things.
Laws are made by parliament. Tree are two houses : the House of Commons and the House of Lords (which has little power). Members of the Hours of Commons are called MPs (Members of parliament); an MP is elected by the people from a particular area. Parliament elections are hold every five year or less. The leader of the majority party in Parliament becomes Primes Minister, and he or she Chooses the MPs who will run the different departments of government-the ministers. The Prime Minister and the most important minister make up the Cabinet, which is the real government of the country.
There are three main political parties: the Labour Party (left-wing), the Conservative Party (right- wing)and the Social Democrat-Liberal Alliance (centre) .