Chapter 5 - 3/6 - Sources of the UK constitution Flashcards
What are the 5 sources of the UK constitution?
- Parliamentary statutes.
- Constitutional conventions.
- Authoritative texts.
- Common law.
- Customs and traditions.
What is a constitutional convention?
An unwritten rule that is considered binding even though it is not enforceable by law.
What is the Salisbury Convention?
That the House of Lords should not block any legislation that appeared in the governing party’s election manifesto.
What is the convention of collective responsibility?
The convention that all members of the government must support official policy in public or else resign.
What convention does the Queen have in forming a government?
It is a convention that the Queen invites the leader of the largest party to form a government.
When was the Equal Franchise Act?
1928
What did the Equal Franchise Act do?
Gave full and equal voting rights to women.
When was the Human Rights Act?
1998
What did the Human Rights Act do?
Incorporated the codified European Convention of Human Rights into UK law.
When was the Scotland Act?
1998
What did the Scotland Act do?
Established a Scottish Parliament.
When was the House of Lords Act?
1999
What did the House of Lords Act do?
Abolish all but 92 hereditary peers.
When was the Freedom of Information Act?
2000
What did the Freedom of Information Act do?
Introduced the right of citizens to see all official documents not excluded on the grounds of national security.
