11 Facts About Westminster model

Westminster system or Westminster model is a type of parliamentary government that incorporates a series of procedures for operating a legislature.

The Westminster model system is often contrasted with the presidential system that originated in the United States, or with the semi-presidential system, based on the government of France.

Westminster model system is used, or was once used, in the national and subnational legislatures of most former colonies of the British Empire upon gaining self-government, beginning with the first of the Canadian provinces in 1848 and the six Australian colonies between 1855 and 1890.

The State of Israel adopted a largely Westminster model-inspired system of government upon declaring independence from the British Mandate of Palestine.

Unlike the uncodified British constitution, most countries that use the Westminster model system have codified the system, at least in part, in a written constitution.

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For example, some older constitutions using the Westminster model system do not mention the existence of the cabinet or the prime minister, because these offices were taken for granted by the authors of these constitutions.

Executive authority within a Westminster model system is de jure exercised by the cabinet as a whole, along with more junior ministers in effect, the head of government dominates the executive as the head of government is ultimately the person from whom the head of state will take advice on the exercise of executive power, including the appointment and dismissal of cabinet members.

Some political scientists have held that the Australian system of government was consciously devised as a blend or hybrid of the Westminster model and the United States systems of government, especially since the Australian Senate is a powerful upper house like the US Senate; this notion is expressed in the nickname "the Washminster mutation".

Westminster model system has a very distinct appearance when functioning, with many British customs incorporated into day-to-day government function.

Some legislatures retain Westminster model's colour-coded chambers, with the upper houses associated with the colour red and the lower with green.

In some cases, certain aspects of the Westminster model system were retained or codified in their constitutions.