United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is European country. During its long history it has incorporated several other formerly independent countries and feudal principalities. The United Kingdom is a monarchy, where the monarch retains largely ceremonial powers, and most political power is wielded by elected Prime Ministers.

The principal states that are incorporated into the United Kingdom are England, Wales, Scotland, and portions of Ireland, which all elect Members of Parliament to the United Kingdom's Parliament at Westminister. The sovereign of the United Kingdom is also the sovereign of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and the Isle of Man, and other former feudal states, each of which elect representatives to their own national legislatures. However the United Kingdom exercises authority over their foreign relations. Similarly, some former colonies, like Bermuda, are not fully independent, and while local elected officials exercise local authority the United Kingdom continues to exercise authority over their foreign relations as well.

In 2009 the Prime Minister of Bermuda covertly forged an agreement with the United States to accept the custody of four former Uyghur captives in Guantanamo -- even though accepting refugees was one of the remaining areas where the United Kingdom retained authority.