Westminster System

The Westminster System is a democratic system of government modelled after that of the United Kingdom system, as used in the Palace of Westminster, the location of the UK parliament. The system is a series of procedures for operating a legislature. It is used, or was once also used, in most Commonwealth and ex-Commonwealth nations, beginning with the Canadian provinces in the mid-19th century. It is also used in Australia, India, the Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore. There are other parliamentary systems, for example those of Germany and Italy, whose procedures differ considerably from the Westminster system.

Related Topics:
Democratic - System of government - United Kingdom - Palace of Westminster - UK parliament - Legislature - Commonwealth - Canadian - Province - 19th century - Australia - India - Republic of Ireland - Jamaica - Malaysia - New Zealand - Singapore - Parliamentary system - Germany - Italy

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Aspects of the Westminster system include:

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• an executive branch usually made up of members of the legislature with the senior members of the executive in a Cabinet;
• the presence of opposition parties;
• an elected legislature, or a system in which one of two houses is elected and the other appointed; and
• a ceremonial head of state, who is different from the head of government, and who may possess reserve powers that are not normally exercised.

Most of the procedures of the Westminster system have originated with the conventions, practices and precedents of the UK parliament, which are a part of what is known as the British constitution. Unlike the UK, most countries that use the Westminster system have codified the system in a written constitution. However convention, practices and precedents continue to play a significant role in these countries, as many constitutions do not specify important elements of procedure: for example, older constitutions using the Westminster system may not even mention the existence of the Cabinet and the title of the head of the government (Prime Minister), because these offices' existence and role evolved outside the primary constitutional text.

Related Topics:
Convention - Precedent - British constitution - Codified - Constitution - Prime Minister

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Westminster System: Operation ►