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Edexcel A Level Politics > C2: The Constitution > Flashcards

C2: The Constitution Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 3 U’s of the UK Constitution?

A

Unitary, Unentrenched, Uncodified

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2
Q

What does Unitary mean?

A

Sovereignty is located in one place (Parliament)

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3
Q

What does Uncodified mean?

A

It’s many sources, not just one document

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4
Q

What does Unentrenched mean?

A

It’s easy to change (can be done with a majority vote in Parliament)

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5
Q

Advantages of UK-style constitutions

A

Strong and efficient executive
Flexible & responsive - laws can be changed easily
Avoids judicial tyranny - Parliament cannot be struck down by the Supreme Court

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6
Q

Disadvantages of UK-style constitutions

A

Sources can be unclear
Confusion over roles of different branches
Executive dominance - ‘elective dictatorship’

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7
Q

When were the Parliament Acts?

A

1911, 1949

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8
Q

What did the parliament Act 1911 entail?

A

Lords cannot delay money bills, and cannot veto non-money bills for more than 2 years.

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9
Q

What did the Parliament Act 1949 entail?

A

Delaying power of the HoL reduced to 1 year.

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10
Q

What was the European Communities Act?

A

Legislation that made the UK enter the EU

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11
Q

When was the European Communities Act signed?

A

1972

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12
Q

What was the EU Withdrawal Act?

A

The Act that started the Brexit process

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13
Q

When was the EU Withdrawal Act passed?

A

2018

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14
Q

What are the Twin Pillars of the Constitution?

A

Parliamentary Sovereignty
The Rule of Law

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15
Q

What is Parliamentary Sovereignty?

A

Principle that Parliament can make, unmake, or amend any law and cannot bind its successors of be bound by its predecessors.

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16
Q

What is the Rule of Law?

A

All people and bodies, including the government, must follow the law & can be held to account if they do not.

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17
Q

What are the five main sources of the constitution?

A

Statute Law (acts of parliament)
Common Law (law from deicisions made in court cases)
Convention
Authoritative Works
EU Law

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18
Q

When was the Fixed Term Parliament Act passed?

A

2011

19
Q

When was the Fixed Term Parliament Act repealed?

A

2022

20
Q

Examples of successful HoL Reform

A

HoL Act 1999 removed all but 96 hereditary peers
Majority of members now appointed on merit

21
Q

Examples of poor HoL Reform

A

96 hereditary peers remained
Still appointed rather than elected

22
Q

Successful HoC reform

A

Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011 - PM cannot call election when it suits them
Commons Select Committees - chosen by MPs rather than party leaders
Recall of MPs act 2015

23
Q

What are some examples of poor HoC reform?

A

Fixed Term Parliament Act easy to get around - both May & Johnson called early elections
Fixed Term Parliament Act repealed 2022

24
Q

Successful electoral reform

A

Introduction of PR in devolved assemblies
AV referendum in 2011 - shows lack of interest in change from FPTP

25
Q

Failed Electoral Reform

A

No boundary reform (changing for 2024)
No change to FPTP system of voting

26
Q

Successful reform on rights

A

Human Rights Act 1998 enshrined the ECHR into UK law. All future law must be compatible with the ECHR.
(Future Bill of Rights in HoC)

27
Q

Failed reform on rights

A

Arguments over British Bill of rights
2005 Control Orders declared an exemption of Human Rights for suspected terrorists

28
Q

Successful reform on Devolution

A

Responded for demands for regional voice: Devolved parliaments created in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Wales - Devolution increased 2011
Scotland - 2014 Independence Referendum gave 55% majority to remain
NI - Good Friday Agreement

29
Q

Failed Devolution reform

A

Barnett Formula - more public spending per head on Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
IndyRef2 rejected for Scotland - confirmed by Supreme Court ruling in 2022

30
Q

What is a form of devolution in England?

A

Mayors, EVEL, Regional Development Agencies, City Regions

31
Q

What are the Regional Development Agencies?

A

Unelected agencies that are there to promote economic growth

32
Q

What are the City regions?

A

Devolved assemblies that are led by metro mayors. Set up 2011.
Sheffield, West Midlands, etc. now 8 in total. (DOES NOT INCLUDE LONDON)

33
Q

What support was there for an English Parliament?

A

None

34
Q

When was Hollyrood set up?

A

1999

35
Q

What powers does Hollyrood have?

A

They can legislate education, Economic development, Environment, Justice, Local govt, Housing, Police, Social services, Agriculture, and health.

36
Q

How are Hollyrood members elected?

A

129 MSPs elected every 4 years using AMS voting system

37
Q

When was the Welsh Assembly set up?

A

1999

38
Q

How many members make up the Welsh Assembly?

A

60 AMs (assembly members)

39
Q

When was Stormont set up?

A

1998

40
Q

What were the restrictions places upon Stormont via the Good Friday agreement?

A

Has to be led by a coalition between Sinn Fein and the DUP

41
Q

What was the purpose of the Good Friday agreement?

A

To ensure there would be no majority of either unionists or nationalists

42
Q

What could be done to improve Devolution?

A

Could create a federal system to fully represent regions; EU/US style system
Increased powers to Scotland - concerns over IndyRef2 & Brexit

43
Q

What could be done to improve elections?

A

Voting system change - address issues of FPTP
Bring back Fixed Term Parliament Act

44
Q

What could be done to improve HoL reform?

A

Remove all hereditary peers
Have the chamber be elected
The PM should not be able to make nominations (Jo Johnson nominated by Boris)
Restrict numbers (Currently 777 sitting members)

Edexcel A Level Politics (18 decks)

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