Where is United Kingdom?The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country located off the north-western coast of continental Europe. The country consists of the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many other smaller islands. What is the capital of United Kingdom? London isthe capital city of the United Kingdom. Covering an area of 607 square miles, it is the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom. It is located on the River Thames.

London is the largest financial center along with New York. It has the fifth he fifth-largest GDP in compared to the other cities in the world. Fashion, cuisine, tourist places, and art and architecture of the city attracts a million visitors; it is the most-visited city in the world. The Tower of London, Kew Gardens, Palace of Westminster, St Margaret's Church, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square are the major attractions.How big is United Kingdom? The United Kingdom covers a total areaof 94,060 square miles. The country has a coastline of 11,073 miles. As estimated in 2010, the country had a population of 62,262,000.What are the ethnic groups in United Kingdom? The majority of thepopulation of the United Kingdom is composed of whites. The minority ethnic groups in the country include South Asians, Blacks, and Chinese.What are the administrative divisions of United Kingdom? The United Kingdom comprises four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales; and fourteen overseas territories. Each country has its own system of administration.

Who are the political leaders of United Kingdom? The United Kingdom is a unitary parliamentary democracy and a constitutionalmonarchy. The Prime Minister is the head of the government. Monarch - Elizabeth II Prime Minister - David Cameron

What is the official currency used in United Kingdom? The pound sterling denoted by the ISO 4217 code GBP is the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is commonly called the pound and is the currency of the Crown dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It is subdivided into 100 pence.What is the official language of United Kingdom? English is the official language of the United Kingdom. Scots, Welsh, Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Cornish are the other languages spoken in thecountry.What is the official religion of United Kingdom? Christianity is the dominant religion of the United Kingdom. The Anglican Church of England is the established church in the country. The other major religion sin the country include Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Buddhism. The Presbyterian Church of Scotland is thenational church of the country.

What is the economy of United Kingdom like? The United Kingdom isthe sixth-largest economy in the world with a high per capita. In2011, the gross domestic product (nominal) was estimated at a total $2.480 trillion, while the per capita was $39,604. The Bankof England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and issues the national currency, the pound sterling; it is the world's third-largest reserve currency.Services sector is the largest sector, accounting for around seventy-three percent of the GDP. Tourism is a significant part of the economy; the United Kingdom is the sixth-most visited country in the world. London draws the maximum number of international visitors of any city.The country also has a large automotive and aerospace industry. The pharmaceutical industry is also a significant part of the economy. The United States, Germany, Netherlands, France, and China are the major trading partners.When is the national day of United Kingdom celebrated? The UnitedKingdom does not have any official national day, though proposals

have been made for the same. Presently, the Queen's Official Birthday is celebrated as a national day. The four countries of the United Kingdom have their own national days, including St George's Day in England, St Andrew's Day in Scotland, St Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland and St David's Day in Wales.

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INTRODUCTIONThe United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch only plays a ceremonial role. Instead, the UK works on the basis of parliamentary supremacy, a system in which parliament is allowed to change any law and its legislation cannot be challenged in the UK courts. This results in parliamenthaving a great deal of power much of which rests in the House of Commons, the UK’s elected primary chamber.Unlike “separation of powers” based systems, the UK government (the executive) is not separate from the legislature but is formed by the party with the most Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Commons. This is often referred to as the fusion of powers and means that the government automatically has a high chance of getting legislation passed in the Commons. Due to the level of power amasses in the Commons and the potent implications of parliamentary supremacy, the House of Lords acts as a significantinternal safeguard against parliamentary tyranny. As the second chamber is full of appointed life members, the Lords are able to reject Commons legislation without fear of retribution from the Commons or general public.The UK is also notable for having an unwritten constitution that has evolved over the centuries. This means that there is no clearset of rights/constitutional values that are specially protected by the judiciary. However, the UK does have a separate judiciary which is not part of the fusion of powers. While it cannot overturn laws, it is able to challenge the government when it breaches UK law.

4:48pm

Brizha Raey Beley

THE UK SYSTEM: A QUICK GUIDEThe Crown, once a critical part of government, now fulfils a largely ceremonial role. Some of the government’s power remains invested in the monarchy. These powers are known as “the Royal Prerogative” and mean that the sovereign still performs numerous important non-partisan functions, such as the appointment of the prime minister, the opening/dissolution of parliament and the signing in of new laws. As well as upholding British traditions, the Crown also provides neutral figurehead for the UK, something of understated importance in a country which deeply distrusts politicians. Additionally, this role as representative provides Britain with a far greater international profile that could be managed by a UK politician. Fundamentally, the monarch is a ceremonial head of state that has little power other than “to advise, to be consulted, and to warn.”Instead, the UK systems invests the majority of power in the House of Commons, the UK parliament’s elected legislative chamber, whose members represent the citizens of the UK. It is the largest party within this chamber that forms Her Majesty’s Government with the second biggest party forming HM Loyal Opposition. The result is that, although Members of Parliament are elected to represent a specific area, the electorate usually votes for MPs based on who they wish to form a government. As HM Government usually commands a majority in the Commons, the party in power not only controls government departments/policy but alsodominates the legislative agenda. Assuming it can control its ownparty (often a big assumption), a government should be able to pass any law it chooses in the Commons.The House Lords, parliament’s appointed second chamber, is the main safeguard against ill thought-out government policy. While its unelected nature means it has a limited mandate to challenge the Commons on subjective/political grounds, the Lords’ key role

is to protect the UK from laws that are unworkable or risk damaging the UK’s unwritten constitution. The Lords comprises of lifetime members nominated by either a political party or a non-partisan committee. It aims to encompass expertise from all areasof society and plays essential role in improving Commons-drafted legislation.Laws that pass through parliament are then upheld by the UK Courts of Law. The UK’s legal system is independent and self-regulating, with judges picked by committees of senior judges/lawyers. Its highest court is the UK Supreme Court but this court’s name is a misnomer as, unlike other countries’ supreme courts, this body has no power to quash parliament’s lawson constitutional grounds. However, it is able to hold governmentaccountable when it fails to act within the law. The UK is also under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, where itcan be challenged for failing to uphold its European treaty obligations.The UK has three main political parties.The Conservative Party (Tories), a centre-right party with a historic focus on defense and economic prudence. The New Labour Party (Labour), a centre-left party with a historic focus on social equality and social justice. The Liberal Democrat Party (Lib Dems), a minority party with a historic focus on social and economic liberalism. BENEFITS & DISADVANTAGESThe Westminster system allows for an accountable government that – with control of the primary legislative chamber and no rival elected body to challenge it – has little excuse for not tacklingsociety’s problems. The electorate is able to support/oust a party knowing that as a government it would have real power to initiate change and deliver on its promises.However, strong accountable governments come at the cost of having a weak separation of powers. This places a heavy burden onthe appointed second chamber, the House of Lords, which is the only real force able to curtail the excesses of the Commons. This

can at times make the system appear undemocratic, with an unelected second chamber defeating the will of the people.

Electronic Information Publications » U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets » United Kingdom U.S. Relations With United KingdomBUREAU OF EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS Fact Sheet September 5, 2013 Share on facebookShare on twitterShare More information about the United Kingdom is available on the United Kingdom Page and from other Department of State publications and other sourceslisted at the end of this fact sheet.U.S.-UNITED KINGDOM RELATIONSThe first, short-lived British colony in Virginia was organized in 1584, and permanent English settlement began in 1607. The United States declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776. The American Revolutionary War ended in 1783, with Great Britain recognizing U.S. independence. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1785. The United States brokerelations when it declared war on the United Kingdom during the War of 1812; relations were reestablished in 1815.The United States has no closer ally than the United Kingdom, andBritish foreign policy emphasizes close coordination with the United States. Bilateral cooperation reflects the common language, ideals, and democratic practices of the two nations. Relations were strengthened by the United Kingdom's alliance withthe United States during both World Wars, in the Korean conflict,in the Persian Gulf War, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and in Afghanistan, as well as through its role as a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The United Kingdomand the United States continually consult on foreign policy issues and global problems and share major foreign and security policy objectives.Regarding Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, "Nationalist" and "Republican" groups seek a united Ireland that includes Northern Ireland, while "Unionists" and "Loyalists" wantNorthern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom. U.S. priorities continue to be supporting the peace process and

devolved political institutions in Northern Ireland and encouraging the implementation of the U.S.-brokered 1998 Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement, and the 2006 St. Andrews Agreement.U.S. Assistance to the United KingdomThe International Fund for Ireland (IFI), created in 1986, provides funding for projects to generate cross-community engagement and economic opportunity in Northern Ireland (the United Kingdom) and the border counties of Ireland. Since the IFI's establishment, the U.S. Government has contributed over $500 million, roughly half of total IFI funding. The other major donor to IFI is the European Union.Bilateral Economic RelationsThe United Kingdom is a member of the European Union and a major international trading power. The United Kingdom is one of the largest markets for U.S. goods exports and one of the largest suppliers of U.S. imports. The United States and the United Kingdom share the world's largest bilateral foreign direct investment partnerships. The United Kingdom is a large source of foreign tourists visiting the United States. It participates in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for certain business or tourism purposes for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining avisa.The United Kingdom's Membership in International OrganizationsThe United Kingdom and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation inEurope, G-20, G-8, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. The United Kingdom also is an observer to theOrganization of American States.

United Kingdom is an island country spanning an archipelago including Great Britain located in Western Europe comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. United Kingdom issurrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, and the Irish Sea. It lies near vital North Atlantic sealanes and is only 35 km from France and linked by tunnel under the English Channel. The geography is mostly rugged hill and low mountains. The government system is constitutional monarchy and aCommonwealth realm. The chief of state is the Queen and the head of government is the Prime Minister. United Kingdom has an advanced open market economy in which the prices of goods and services are determined in a free price system. United Kingdom isa member of the European Union (EU).

Sir Winston Churchill Winston Churchill was a politician, a soldier, an artist, and the20th century's most famous and celebrated Prime Minister.

Queen Elizabeth I The daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth 1 reigned England from 1558–1603. Her reign was marked by severalplots to overthrow her, the execution of Mary Queen of Scots (1587), the defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588), and domestic prosperity and literary achievement.

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell was a military, political, and religious figure who led the Parliamentarian victory in the English Civil War (1642–1649) and called for the execution of Charles I. He was Lord Protector of England for much of the 1650s, ruling in place of the country's traditional monarchy.

1. Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington British general and politician. Commander of British troops during the Peninsular War (1808–1814), he defeated Napoleon

at Waterloo (1815), thus ending the Napoleonic Wars. As prime minister (1828–1830) he passed the Catholic Emancipation Act (1829).

2. Margaret Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher Margaret Thatcher was the United Kingdom's first woman primeminister, and she held the office of PM for longer than anyone in the 20th century.

Queen Elizabeth II Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary), is theQueen regnant and Head of State of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and fifteen other Commonwealth countries.

1. William Wilberforce British politician. As a member of Parliament (1780–1825) hecampaigned for the British abolition of slavery.

Timeline - British Prime MinistersNo. From To Name Record

1 1721 1742 Sir Robert Walpole

Generally accepted as the first real British Prime Minister (his term of office was briefly interrupted by Spencer Crompton)1730 Irish Famine1732 First Cavalry and Infantry Muster Rolls1735 Moved into 10 Downing Street(a present from King George II)

2 1742 1743 Spencer Crompton,Earl of Wilmington died in office

3 1743 1754 Henry Pelham 1745 Jacobite Rebellion

1752 Implemented the 1751 Calender Act adopting the Gregorian calender, moving the beginning of the year from 25 March to 1 January1754 Hardwicke Act (1753) Banns to be called and printed registers used1754 First printed Army Lists

4 1754 1756Thomas Pelham-Holles,Duke of Newcastle

Brother of Henry Pelham1756 Start of Seven Years War

5 1756 1757William Cavendish,4th Duke of Devonshire.

The Seven Years War continued (1756-1763)

6 1757 1762Thomas Pelham-Holles,Duke of Newcastle

Held office for most of the SevenYears War(1756-1763)

7 1762 1763 John Stuart,3rd Earl of Bute Ended Seven Years War

8 1763 1765 George Grenville

1765 introduced the Stamp Act (which was later to lead to the American war of Independence)Sacked by George III

9 1765 1766Charles Wentworth,2nd Marquis of Rockingham

1766 Repealed the Stamp Act (after protest from the colonies)Sacked by George III

10 1766 1768 William Pitt,Earl of Chatham

AKA William Pitt "The Elder"credited with the birth of the

British EmpireDied in office

11 1767 1770Henry Augustus Fitzroy,3rd Duke of Grafton

1770 Discovery of Australia by CookBelieved in the removal of dutiesfrom the colonies- except for tea

12 1770 1782 Frederick, Lord North

Noted for losing Britain the American colonies1773 Boston Tea Party1776 America declared independence1780 Anti catholic Gordon Riots in London1781 Surrender at Yorktown

13 1782 1782Charles Wentworth,2nd Marquis of Rockingham

14 1782 1783

William Fitzmaurice,2nd Earl of Shelburne

1782 Gilbert's Act establishes outdoor poor reliefMade peace with America, France and Spain

15 1783 1783

William Cavendish-Bentinck,3rd Duke of Portland

16 1783 1801 William Pitt AKA William Pitt, "The Younger"1784 India Act established dual-control of the East India Company1789 French Revolution1788 First deportees arrive in

New South Wales1793 Entered war with France1790's Introduced Income Tax1799 Combination Act. Amended in 1800 effectively banned Trade Unions and reinforced arbitrationas a means of settling disputes1800 Act of Union with Ireland

17 1801 1804 Henry Addington

1801 Union Flag adopted as the official British flag1802 Treaty of Amiens: ll-advisedpeace treaty with FranceLater elevated to the peerage as Viscount Sidmouth

18 1804 1806 William Pitt AKA William Pitt, "The Younger"1805 Battle of Trafalgar

19 1806 1807 William Wyndham,Lord Grenville 1807 Abolition of the slave trade

20 1807 1809

William Cavendish-Bentinck,3rd Duke of Portland

21 1809 1812 Spencer Perceval

1812 Luddite Riots (machine breaking)1812 Shot dead in the lobby of the House of Commons by John Bellingham

22 1812 1827 Robert Banks Jenkinson,2nd Earl of

1815 Battle of Waterloo and ending the Napoleonic Wars1819 Peterloo Massacre In

Liverpool

Manchester where soldiers attacked pro-parliamentary reformprotesters1819 Return to the Gold Standard1819 Repeal of anti-trade union laws1825 Opening of the first railway

23 1827 1827 George Canning Died in office

24 1827 1828 Frederick Robinson,Viscount Goderich Only held office for four months

25 1828 1830 Arthur Wellesley,Duke of Wellington

1829 Catholic Emancipation (over which he fought a duel with Lord Winchilsea - both missed!)1829 Creation of the London Metropolitan Police

26 1830 1834 Charles, 2nd Earl Grey

1831 Reform Bill1832 Electoral Registers introduced1833 Abolition of slavery in the British Empire1833 Factory Act: Banned childrenunder 9 from working in factories

27 1834 1834William Lamb,2nd Viscount Melbourne

28 1834 1835 Sir Robert Peel,2nd Baronet In office for only five months

29 1835 1841 William Lamb,2nd Viscount

1835 Municipal Corporations Act gave local power to the growing

Melbourne

middle classes1837 (September) Voluntary registration of births, marriagesand deaths introduced1840 Introduction of the "Penny Post"1841 First census containing personal details

30 1841 1846 Sir Robert Peel,2nd Baronet

1842 Mines Acts forbade the employment of women and children in the mines1844 Factory Act limited working hours for women and children in factories1846 Repeal of Corn Laws

31 1846 1852 Lord John Russell

1847 Ten Hours Act: Cut factory work day to ten hours for women and children1847 Education Act Improved teachers' pay and provided money for non-conformist schoolsHe was created Earl Russell in 1861

32 1852 1852 Edward Stanley,14th Earl of Derby

33 1852 1855George Gordon,4th Earl of Aberdeen

1854 Crimean War

34 1855 1858 Henry Temple,3rd Viscount Palmerston

1856 End of Crimean War1857 Start of the Indian Mutiny1858 Introduced the India Bill to

transfer the administration of India from the East India Companyto the Crown (Whilst out of office in 1859 helped create the Liberal Party)

35 1858 1859 Edward Stanley,14th Earl of Derby

1858 Completed the passage of theIndia Bill to transfer the administration of India from the East India Company to the Crown

36 1859 1865Henry Temple,3rd Viscount Palmerston

Died in Office

37 1865 1866 Earl Russell 1866 Age at death entered onto Death Certificates

38 1866 1868 Edward Stanley,14th Earl of Derby 1867 Second Reform Bill

39 1868 1868 Benjamin Disraeli 1868 Last convicts sent to Australia

40 1868 1874 William Ewart Gladstone

1869 Suez Canal Opened1871 Trades Unions permittedDisestablished the Church of Ireland and passed the Irish LandAct to remove unfair practices bylandlords

41 1874 1880 Benjamin Disraeli 1874 Compulsory registration of births and deaths introduced1875 Climbing Boys Act prohibitedthe use of children as chimney sweeps

1875 Artisans Dwelling Act entitled Local Authorities to demolish slums1875 Public Heath Act provided running water and refuse disposal1878 Berlin Congress ("Peace withhonour" in the Balkans)1879 First Telephone Exchanges opened in Manchester and London1879 created Earl of Beaconsfield

42 1880 1885 William Ewart Gladstone

1880 Education Act: Made schooling compulsory for 5-10 year olds1881 British defeat by the Boers at Majuba1883 Married Womens Property Act (1898) became effectiveLost British control of Sudan after having failed to rescue Gordon in Khartoum

43 1885 1885

Robert Gascoyne-Cecil,3rd Marquis ofSalisbury

44 1886 1886 William Ewart GladstoneIntroduced and lost an Irish HomeRule Bill

45 1886 1892 Robert Gascoyne-Cecil,3rd Marquis ofSalisbury

1888 Local Government Act transferring the administration of counties to elected county councils1891 Free Education Act: Primary

education made free and compulsoryEstablished Rhodesia as a colony

46 1892 1894 William Ewart Gladstone

1894 Opening of the Manchester Ship Canal1894 Local Government Act creating civil parish councils etc.Re-introduced his Irish Home RuleBill which was rejected by the Lords. He resigned

47 1894 1895Archibald Primrose,5th Earl of Rosebery

48 1895 1902

Robert Gascoyne-Cecil,3rd Marquis ofSalisbury

1896 First permanent wireless installation1897 Workmen's Compensation Act made employers liable for accidents to employees1899 Boer War started1900 School leaving age raised to14

49 1902 1905 Arthur James Balfour1902 Education Act provided for secondary education

50 1905 1908 Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman

1906 Labour Party foundedRestored autonomy to the Transvaal and the Orange Free State (both part of South Africa)

51 1908 1916 Herbert Henry Asquith

1911 The Parliament Act removed the power to vote against money

bills and public legislation fromthe Lords1912 Foundation of Royal Flying Corps (later the RAF)1912 Titanic sinks1911 (September) Mother's maiden name shown on birth indexes1912 (March) Surname of spouse shown against both bride and groom in marriage indexes1914 First World War (1914 - 1918)1925 Was created Earl of Oxford

52 1916 1922 David Lloyd George

1918 End of First World War (1914- 1918)1918 Signed The Treaty of Versailles founding the League ofNations1918 Votes for women 30+ and men 21+1921 Irish Free State and Northern Ireland formed1944 Was made Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor

53 1922 1923 Andrew Bonar Law

54 1923 1924 Stanley Baldwin

55 1924 1924 James Ramsey MacDonaldBritain's first Labour Party Prime Minister

56 1924 1929 Stanley Baldwin 1925 Return to the Gold Standard1925 Contributory State Pensions introduced

1926 General Strike1927 Registration of still-birthscommenced1929 Extended the franchise to women aged over 211929 Minimum age of marriage increased to 16 (from 14 boys and12 girls)

57 1929 1935 James Ramsey MacDonald

Due to being a member of a minority party in The Commons he entered into a National Government with Stanley Baldwin which eventually caused his downfall

58 1935 1937 Stanley Baldwin

1936 Germany Started to rearm1936 Achieved a European non-intervention pact in the Spanish Civil War1937 Abdication of Edward V1111937 Became Earl Baldwin of Bewdley

59 1937 1940 Arthur Neville Chamberlain

1938 Munich "Peace in our time" Meeting with Hitler1939 Germany invaded Poland and he declared war1939 Second World War (1939 - 1945)

60 1940 1945 Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill

Noted as a great war leader who could stir the resolve of his countrymen1945 End Second World War (1939 -

1945)

61 1945 1951 Clement Richard Attlee

Nationalisation of the Bank of EnglandNationalisation of heavy industryDismantled the British Empire1948 Foundation the National Health Service1949 NATO formed

62 1951 1955 Sir Winston Churchill

1952 Bonn Convention ending British, French and USA's occupation of Germany1953 First ascent of Everest1953 End of Korean War1954 End of food rationing

63 1955 1957 Sir Anthony Eden 1956 Suez Crisis leading to loss of Office

64 1957 1963 Maurice Harold Macmillan

1959 Empire day became Commonwealth Day1962 Consecration of the new Coventry CathedralPresided over the easing of the cold war with Russia and a periodof prosperity.Applied for membership of the EECbut rejected mainly because of General De Gaulle

65 1963 1964 Sir Alex Douglas Home

The first person to resign a peerage (14th Earl of Home) in order to become a member of parliament and Prime Minister

66 1964 1970 James Harold Wilson

1965 Rhodesia declared unilateralindependence under Ian Smith1966 Pound Sterling devalued1969 Capital punishment abolished1969 Minimum voting age reduced to 161969 Founded the Open University1969 Maiden flight of Concorde1969 Troops sent into Northern Ireland1969 Date, place of birth and maiden names added to Death CertificatesLaws on homosexuals and obscene publications liberalized

67 1970 1974 Edward Heath

1971 Decimalization coinage1972 Direct rule imposed on Northern Ireland1973 Miners' strike and the "3 day working week"1973 Britain joined the EC

68 1974 1976 James Harold Wilson 1983 Became Baron Wilson of Rievaulx;

69 1976 1979 Leonard James Callaghan

Presided over a monetary crisis which needed a rescue by the IMF with a strict incomes policy1978 The "Winter of Discontent" widespread strikes mainly in public services

70 1979 1990 Margaret Thatcher Britain's first woman Prime Minister

1979 Resolved the Rhodesian crisis leading to the foundation of Zimbabwe1982 Falklands War1990 Introduced the unpopular "Poll Tax" in England and Wales (Scotland in 1989)Reversed the policy of state ownership and presided over a period of denationalization, deregulation, reform of Trade Unions, tax cuts and the move towards a market economy in the public sector1994 became Baroness Thatcher

71 1990 1997 John Major

1991 Abolished "The Poll Tax"1991 Devised the Citizens Charter1991 Invasion of Iraq following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait1992 Sterling crisis led to leaving the ERM1993 Established the Northern Ireland Peace Process1994 Created the National Lotterywith the proceeds going to charity1994 Channel Tunnel opened

72 1997 2007 Anthony Charles Lynton Blair

1997 Bank of England made independent of Government1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement in Northern Ireland1999 NATO attacks on Kosovo and Serbia

2001 Terrorists attack the New York Trade Centre2001 Afghanistan War2002 Euro introduced (but not in the UK)2003 Invasion of Iraq2005 Suicide bombers attack London2005 Civil Partnerships recognised2007 Stormont, the Northern Ireland Parliament, restored2007 Signed the Brussels Reform Treaty extending EU powers

73 2007 2010 Gordon Brown

2007 Signed the Lisbon Treaty2008 Collapse of Banking System2008 Withdrawal of active Britishtroops from Iraq2008 MP's expenses scandal, leading to the enforced resignation of the Speaker2009 Lisbon European Union Treatyapproved by all member states2010 Restoration of policing governance to Northern Ireland

74 2010 David CameronJoint administration with the Liberal DemocratsCurrent Prime Minister