The UK Government

           The Government is led by the Prime Minister, who selects the other members of the Government.The Prime Minister and the other most senior Ministers belong to the supreme decision-making committee, known as the Cabinet. In Britain, unlike much of western Europe, normally has single-party government. In other words, all members of the government belong to the same political party. The habit of single-party government has helped to establish the tradition known as collective responsibility. That is, every member of the government shares the responsibility for every policy made by the government.  The monarch selects the Prime Minister as the leader of the party most likely to command a majority in Parliament. The British Parliament utilises the Westminster System, a parliamentary democracy which remains to this day the most widely used system of politics in the world. Most nations that practice the Westminster System are Commonwealths or former Commonwealths of the Commonwealth of Nations. Local government authorities(generally known as "councils") in Britain only have powers because the central government has given them powers. Indeed, they only exist because the central government allows them to exist. The system of local government is very similar to the system of national government. Most British people have far more direct dealings with local government than they do with national  government.

Bonfire night

           For 400 years, bonfires have burned on November 5th to mark the failed Gunpowder Plot. The tradition of Guy Fawkes-related bonfires actually began the very same year as the failed plot. Preparations for Bonfire Night celebrations include making a dressing of Guy Fawkes, which is called "the Guy". Some children even keep up an old tradition of walking in the streets, carrying "the Guy" they have just made, and beg passersby for "a penny for the Guy." The kids use the money to buy fireworks for the evening festivities. On the night itself, Guy is placed on top of the bonfire, which is then set alight; and fireworks displays fill the sky. The extent of the celebrations and the size of the bonfire varies from one community to the next. Lewes, in the South East of England, is famous for its Bonfire Night festivities and consistently attracts thousands of people each year to participate. Bonfire Night is not only celebrated in Britain. The tradition crossed the oceans and established itself in the British colonies during the centuries. It was actively celebrated in New England as "Pope Day" as late as the 18th century. Today, November 5th bonfires still light up in far out places like New Zealand and Newfoundland in Canada.

Halloween

       Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain(pronounced 'sow-in'). Samhain  marked the end of the "season of the sun" (Summer) and the beginning of "the season of darkness and cold" ( Winter). The ancient people celebrated New Year on November 1st. They celebrated their New Year's Eve on October 31st. There were four things significant about this date: the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was belived that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. During the day, people celebrated with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Nowadays, people will give a big party to celebrate it. Last Friday our school had the fancy dress party, I'm really having a great time. The party was very interesting and full of fun.