TEXT 12. A Proposed Reform of the House of Lords in the UK

TEXT 11. Local Government in the USA

The form of government in the USA is based on three main principles: federalism, the separation of powers and respect for the Constitution.

Each American is subject to two governments: the government of his state and the government of the Union. Each government has its own distinct function. The states have, under the Constitution, the primary functions of providing law and order, education, public health, and most of the things which concern day-to-day life. The Federal government at Washington is concerned with foreign affairs and with general matters of all the states, including commerce between the states.

Within each state there is a complete system of local government with local authorities which get their status and powers from the sates. Local government systems differ from one state to another, but there are many similarities. Each state is divided into councils, which have their own powers. On average there are about sixty counties to a state. As towns grow up they are given charters by state legislatures.

There are nearly 20,000 municipalities in the United States. All the largest ones are cities, though there are many cities with less than 5,000 inhabitants, and some so-called villages with 50,000, particularly in fast growing suburban areas.

The local government units have councils or commissions elected by the inhabitants. In some cases the chiefs of particular services are elected too. The election of the mayor of a big city is a very important event, and the Mayor of New York hold an office which is generally regarded as more important than the governorship of a small state. All these elective offices have fixed terms, normally two, three or four years. In most cases a second or a third term is possible.

Municipalities and counties have their own sources of revenue, mainly in the form of a tax on property.

Answer the questions:

1. What principles is the form of government in the USA based on?

2. What functions do the states have?

3. What matters is the Federal government concerned with?

4. How many councils are there in one state?

5. How long are the terms of elected offices?

6. What are the sources of revenue in municipalities and counties?

The Queen’s speech at the opening of Parliament is usually heard in silence. This year, however, something unprecedented happened. When the Queen announced that the government would soon legislate to deprive hereditary aristocrats of their right to vote in the House of Lords, there were sounds of approval from the MDs at the back, and grows of anger from the Lords at the front.

Tony Blair wants to end the absurd anachronism that gives the peers voting rights. He is planning to get rid of the hereditaries but he does not say what will be put in the place of the current House of Lords.

Long ago the Constitution Unit warned that abolishing the voting rights of hereditaries will do no good. A concrete plan for a reformed House of Lords must be made before that.

The Government says that it will announce the transitional period in a white paper, but they will include the establishment of an independent commission which will nominate and consider the life peers. The important issue will be the relationship between the commission and the prime minister: the more members that he continues to appoint (or “nominate”), the stronger will be the accusation that Mr. Blair’s aim is to create a new “House of Cronies”. It would be much better if this commission were genuinely independent, perhaps even with some commissioners elected in some way. It would even much better if the nomination were made according to some openly published rules.

Answer the questions:

1. How the Queen’s speech is usually heard?

2. What was announced by the Queen at the opening of Parliament?

3. What is Tony Blair planning to do?

4. What commission will be established?

5. What’s the reason for establishing this commission?

6. What can Mr. Blair be accused of?

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