Changes

The British Government operates in the name of the Queen (or the "Crown"), but power lies in practice with the '''Prime Minister''' and his '''Cabinet'''. The British Prime Minister has one of the most powerful roles of any democratic head of government or head of state (though some, like the French President, have similar or more extensive powers).   

The British Government operates in the name of the Queen (or the "Crown"), but power lies in practice with the '''Prime Minister''' and his '''Cabinet'''. The British Prime Minister has one of the most powerful roles of any democratic head of government or head of state (though some, like the French President, have similar or more extensive powers).   

Contrary to popular opinion, the British Prime Minister can be of any religion - for example, Sir Ian Duncan-Smith, a Catholic, was made leader of the Conservative Party which would have made him Prime Minister had he been elected, yet no British political commentators made any mention of his religion.  In addition, [[Margaret Thatcher]] was a Methodist rather than an Anglican.  Legislation exists which demands that the Monarch be Anglican; however, advising the monarch on ecclesiastical affairs can fall to any member of the cabinet, and indeed the position is defunct in modern-day Britain.  No legislation exists which regulates the religion of the Prime Minister.

Contrary to popular opinion, the British Prime Minister can be of any religion - for example, Iian Duncan-Smith, a Catholic, was made leader of the Conservative Party which would have made him Prime Minister had he been elected, yet no British political commentators made any mention of his religion.  In addition, [[Margaret Thatcher]] was a Methodist rather than an Anglican.  Legislation exists which demands that the Monarch be Anglican; however, advising the monarch on ecclesiastical affairs can fall to any member of the cabinet, and indeed the position is defunct in modern-day Britain.  No legislation exists which regulates the religion of the Prime Minister.

== Devolution ==

== Devolution ==

see also [[Labour Party]]

see also [[Labour Party]]

The [[Labour Party]] is the current party of government in the UK.<ref> It is also the largest party in the Welsh legislature and the second-largest party in the Scottish Parliament.</ref>

The [[Labour Party]] is currently the opposition party in the UK and in the process of electing a new leader..<ref> It is also the largest party in the Welsh legislature and the second-largest party in the Scottish Parliament.</ref>

Following its defeat by Margaret Thatcher's Conservatives in 1979, the Labour Party adopted a strongly left-wing, socialist program. Following a catastrophic defeat in the 1983 general election, more moderate politicians took charge of Labour and slowly moved it closer to the centre ground of British politics, a process started by [[Neil Kinnock]] in the mid-1980s and carried forward enthusiastically by [[Tony Blair]] after his election as leader in 1994. Many more traditional, left-wing Labour supporters see Tony Blair as an usurper whose policies are too right-wing for comfort. This has been the case in particular following the Iraq War.

Following its defeat by Margaret Thatcher's Conservatives in 1979, the Labour Party adopted a strongly left-wing, socialist program. Following a catastrophic defeat in the 1983 general election, more moderate politicians took charge of Labour and slowly moved it closer to the centre ground of British politics, a process started by [[Neil Kinnock]] in the mid-1980s and carried forward enthusiastically by [[Tony Blair]] after his election as leader in 1994. Many more traditional, left-wing Labour supporters see Tony Blair as an usurper whose policies are too right-wing for comfort. This has been the case in particular following the Iraq War.