Component 2 Evidence Flashcards
What are the sources of the UK Constitution (SCCLAT)?
Statute law + Common law + Convention
What is an alternative mnemonic for the sources of the UK Constitution (SCCREW)?
Statute law + Common law + Conventions + Royal prerogative + External constitutional agreements/treaties + Works of authority
What did the 1215 Magna Carta guarantee?
Certain basic rights + including that citizens shouldn’t be imprisoned without a trial
What did the 1701 Act of Settlement outline?
Succession to the throne
What did the 1707 Acts of Union create?
Great Britain by formally joining Scotland to England + Wales
What did the 1911 Parliament Act remove from the House of Lords?
The power to veto a Bill + except one to extend the lifetime of a Parliament
What did the 1928 Representation of the People Act concern?
Women’s voting rights
What was the 1949 Parliament Act?
A re-written version of the earlier act
What did the 1970 Equal Pay Act legislate?
That men can no longer be paid more than a woman for the same job
What did the 1972 The European Communities Act concern?
The UK’s entry into the European Communities
What happened in 1997 regarding devolution?
Powers were devolved to Scotland and Wales
What did the 1998 Human Rights Act do?
Incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law
What did the 1999 House of Lords Reform abolish?
All but 92 hereditary peers and 26 CofE bishops
What did the 2000 Freedom of Information Act provide?
Public access to documents held by public authorities
What did the 2005 Constitutional Reform Act create?
The UK Supreme Court
What did the 2010 Equality Act aim to do?
Protect people from discrimination
What did the 2010 Constitutional Reform Act introduce?
Elected chairs of committees
What did the 2011 Fixed Term Parliament Act do (and what replaced it)?
Set fixed five-year terms for Parliament (repealed and replaced by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022)
What did the 2014 Wales Act devolve to Wales?
Power to make primary legislation imposing taxes
What did the 2014 House of Lords Reform Act allow?
Members to resign (previously impossible)
What did the 2015 Recall of MPs Act allow?
A process for voters to potentially trigger a by-election if their MP misbehaves
What was EVEL (2015-2021)?
English Votes for English Laws + a procedure in Parliament
What did the 2016 Scotland Act concern?
Further devolution of powers to Scotland
What did the 2017 Burns report suggest for the House of Lords?
Reducing the number of Lords and implementing term lengths
What happened in 2019 with Johnson and Parliament?
Johnson’s failed attempt to prorogue Parliament (R v Miller 2)
When did the UK officially leave the EU?
2020
What is the 2024 debate concerning the House of Lords about?
Removing the 92 remaining hereditary peers
Name three MPs successfully recalled under the 2015 Act?
Fiona Onasanya (Peterborough - 2019) + Christopher Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire - 2019) + Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West + 2023) + Peter Bone (Wellingborough - 2023)
Name two MPs unsuccessfully targeted for recall?
Ian Paisley Jr (North Antrim - 2018) + Scott Benton (Blackpool South - 2024)
Despite devolution what remains the nature of the UK constitution?
Unitary
What term describes the UK’s constitutional arrangement post-devolution?
Quasi federalism
What act was used in 2023 to block the Scottish Gender Recognition Act?
The Scotland Act 1998
What significant power was granted to Greater Manchester in 2016?
Control of its own budget for health and social care
What was the outcome of the 2004 referendum on a North East England assembly?
A 78% ‘no’ vote
What was the spend per head in Scotland in 2022-2023?
£14
What was the spend per head in Northern Ireland in 2022-2023?
£14453
What was the spend per head in Wales in 2022-2023?
£13967
What was the spend per head in England in 2022-2023?
£12227
What agreement and act led to the establishment of Stormont and the end of The Troubles?
The Good Friday Agreement (1998) and the Northern Ireland Act 1998
What act gives local government power to hold a devolution referendum?
Local Government Act 2000
What has been a characteristic of the Northern Ireland Assembly?
Multiple dissolutions (e.g. 2002-2007 + 2022-2024)
What happened to the Bute House agreement in Scotland in 2024?
It broke down
What electoral system is used in Scotland + Wales + and the Greater London Authority?
AMS (Additional Member System)
What electoral system is used in Northern Ireland?
STV (Single Transferable Vote)
What electoral system was used for mayoral elections until 2021?
SV (Supplementary Vote)
What was the turnout for the London mayoral election in 2024?
0.405
What was the turnout for the London mayoral election in 2021?
0.42200000000000004
What was the turnout for the London mayoral election in 2016?
0.45299999999999996
What was the turnout for the London mayoral election in 2012?
0.381
What was the turnout for the Manchester mayoral election in 2024?
0.32
What was the turnout for the Manchester mayoral election in 2021?
0.34700000000000003
What was the turnout for the Manchester mayoral election in 2017?
0.289
What was the turnout for the West Midlands mayoral election in 2024?
0.298
What was the turnout for the West Midlands mayoral election in 2021?
0.312
What was the turnout for the West Midlands mayoral election in 2017?
0.267
What was the purpose of EVEL (2015-2021) regarding the West Lothian question?
To have only English MPs answer questions on English matters
Why was EVEL eventually repealed?
MPs near boundaries complained of unfairness in devolved body discussions
What has Boris Johnson’s repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 led to?
The return to the convention of PMs choosing when to call general elections
Why did Rishi Sunak call a general election for 4th July 2025?
To capitalize on lowered inflation
What did Amnesty International accuse the UK parliament of in April 2024?
“Deliberately destabilising” human rights through several acts
What did Lord Clarke warn about the Safety of Rwanda Bill?
It would move the UK towards an ‘elective dictatorship’
How did the government proceed with the Rwanda scheme after the Supreme Court ruling?
By passing a bill stating Rwanda is a safe country
What act did some argue curtailed individual rights during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Coronavirus Act 2020
What freedoms were curtailed by lockdown restrictions?
Freedom of assembly and freedom of movement
What did Partygate expose?
The abuse of power by the former PM and cabinet during lockdown
How was Boris Johnson held accountable for Partygate?
By the liaison committee grilling him and Parliament investigating
What did the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 establish?
The UK Supreme Court - separating the judiciary from the Law Lords
Why is the Supreme Court considered relatively weak?
Due to parliamentary sovereignty and the uncodified constitution
What did the 2017 Burns report call for regarding the House of Lords?
A reduction in size and term limits for members
What is the average age of Lords?
71
What percentage of Lords received private education?
0.7
What percentage of Lords are women?
0.28
What percentage of Lords are BME?
0.026000000000000002
What did the Freedom of Information Act 2000 enable?
Public access to official documents for public interest
What scandal was exposed with the assistance of FOIA 2000?
The MP Expenses scandal 2009
Who defines “public interest” under the FOI Act?
The government
How many vetoes have there been over publications under the FOI Act?
5
What did Tony Blair call his introduction of the FOI Act?
“Naive” and “foolish”
What were Blair’s arguments against the FOI Act’s impact?
It was used by journalists for political purposes and reduced government effectiveness
What did the Wright Committee (2009) recommend for House of Commons reform?
Regulating committee numbers/size + secret ballot for chair election + Backbench Business Committee creation + e-petition system
What power does the Recall for MPs Act 2015 extend to the public?
The power to trigger a by-election if 10% of voters petition for it
Give an example of the Recall Act being used successfully?
Fiona Onasanya (Peterborough) due to custodial sentencing
What is Rishi Sunak’s stance on the ECHR if it conflicts with national security?
“If we are forced to choose between our security and the jurisdiction of a foreign court - including the ECtHR we will always choose our security.”
What did MP Suella Braverman say about the ECHR?,It “is at odds with the will of Parliament or British values”
What did Labour’s 2023 manifesto pledge regarding the House of Lords?,Removing hereditary peers’ voting rights + mandatory retirement age at 80 + new participation requirement
What are arguments for a UK Bill of Rights?,Protection of rights + clarity + modernisation of democracy + international standards
What are arguments against a UK Bill of Rights?,Parliamentary sovereignty + flexibility + Common Law Tradition
What was the significance of the Bill of Rights 1689?,Established limits on the power of the monarch and set out rights of Parliament
What was the significance of the Representation of the People Act 1918?,Granted some women the right to vote
What was the Social Chapter 1997?,Part of the Treaty of Amsterdam concerning workers’ rights
What did the HRA 1998 incorporate into UK law?,The ECHR
What did the Freedom of Information Act 2000 establish?,A ‘right to access’ information held by public authorities
What did the Equality Act 2010 do?,Created a single act protecting people from discrimination
What was the significance of the 1965 Race Relations Act?,Banned racial discrimination in public places
What rights did the 1984 Data Protection Act give individuals?,Legal rights over their personal information held on computers
What scandal highlighted the need for information access?,The Infected Blood inquiry Scandal
What did the 2013 Marriage (Same-Sex) Couples Act legalise?,Same-sex marriage in all parts of Britain
What did the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act grant?,Greater surveillance and data access powers to police
What did the 2022 Police + Crime + Sentencing and Courts Act do?,Gave police greater powers around protests and criminalised one-person protests
What did the 2023 Public Order Act further empower police to do regarding protests?,Prevent tactics deemed “disruptive”
What did the S.C declare about the 2004 Civil Partnership Act in 2018?,It was incompatible with the HRA
What happened to Shamima Begum’s citizenship in 2019?,It was stripped on national security grounds
What was the outcome of Cait Reilly’s case against forced unpaid work?,The court ruled it unlawful
What did Madonna petition against?,The right to roam near her property
What did Blair’s government unsuccessfully try to extend?,The period people could be held before charges (from 14 to 90 days)
Why was Abu Qatada not deported for 8 years?,Concerns over fair trial and evidence from torture
What was the UK Supreme Court ruling in the Ashers Baking Company case?,The bakery’s refusal to make a pro-same-sex marriage cake was not discriminatory based on sexual orientation
What did the UK Supreme Court ruling suggest about the definition of a woman under the Equality Act 2010?,It is based on biological ‘facts’
What percentage of MPs in the House of Commons are women?,41% (263 MPs)
What percentage of peers in the House of Lords are women?,28% (222 peers)
What percentage of the UK general population are women (2021 census)?,51%
What percentage of MPs in the House of Commons are of BAME background?,14%
What percentage of peers in the House of Lords are of BAME background?,6%
What percentage of the UK general population are of BAME background (2021 census)?,18%
What percentage of UK MPs are LGBTQ?,11% (71 MPs)
What percentage of the UK general population is LGBTQ (2021 census - likely an underestimate)?,3.2%
What percentage of MPs are aged under 30?,Only 2%
What percentage of MPs are aged over 50?,52%
What percentage of MPs went to Oxford or Cambridge?,23%
What percentage of MPs were privately educated?,23% (46% Conservative + 15% Labour)
What percentage of MPs have a degree?,85%
What percentage of the English population has a Level 4 qualification (2021)?,33%
How many MPs are in the House of Commons?,650
Who is the youngest MP mentioned and their age?,Sam Carling (Labour) - 23
What is the average age of an MP?,48
What is the average age of a Lord?,71
What can the House of Commons use to overcome disagreements with the Lords?,The Parliament Acts
How many times did Blair use the Parliament Acts?,3 times
What was the most recent use of the Parliament Act under Blair?,Banning hunting with dogs (Hunting Act 2004)
What parliamentary process did the Safety of Rwanda bill undergo in 2024?,Parliamentary ping-pong
What is the role of Whips in Parliament?,To ensure party discipline and that MPs vote according to party lines
What is a sanction for MPs ignoring a three-line whip?,Removal from the parliamentary party
How many Conservative MPs had the whip removed by Boris Johnson in 2019 over the EU withdrawal Bill?,21
What can MPs do if they strongly disagree with their party’s policy?,Rebel against the whip or resign from the party
What issue led to resignations over a third runway for Heathrow?,Protracted debates
How many MPs resigned from Labour and Conservative due to Brexit debates?,Eight from Labour + three from Conservative
What new party did these MPs form?,The Independent Group for Change
Was a free vote allowed on the smoking ban?,Yes (in 2025)
Name two MPs involved in whip scandals mentioned?,Chris Pincher + Gavin Williamson
What was notable about the SNP’s vote on the Assisted Dying Bill 2024?,It was unwhipped and some abstained due to the West Lothian question
What is a Private Members’ Bill (PMB)?,A bill introduced by a backbench MP
What was the success rate of government bills versus PMBs in 2016-17?,25/28 government bills passed + 8/163 PMBs passed
How much of Commons time do government bills typically take?,Over 1/3
How much of Commons time do PMBs typically take?,Less than 5%
Name two successful PMBs from Liberal Democrat MPs in 2023?,Carer’s Leave Act (Wendy Chamberlain) + Worker Protection Act (Wera Hobhouse)
What often influences the success of PMBs introduced by backbenchers?,Whether they are from the ruling party
Give examples of acts voted on against government wishes regarding Brexit (not PMBs)?,Benn Act + Cooper-Letwin Act (emergency debates)
What notable PMB passed during a hung parliament with government support?,The 1967 Abortion Act
Who introduced the 2024 assisted dying bill?,Kim Leadbeater (Labour MP)
What is the role of backbenchers in Parliament?,To scrutinise the government + represent constituents + and contribute to debates
How many Tories rebelled against Covid passports under Johnson?,99
Which group challenged Theresa May over Brexit?,The European Research Group (ERG)
How many days were allocated to the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill in the Commons?,Two days
What is the 1922 Committee responsible for?,Triggering Conservative leadership contests
How many Conservative MPs are estimated to be in the One Nation caucus?,110
How many votes did John Major pass the Maastricht Treaty by due to backbench revolts?,One vote
What did the Covid Recovery Group’s letter threaten Johnson with if he didn’t publish a lockdown exit strategy?,His “leadership will be on the table”
What committee grilled Boris Johnson over Partygate?,The liaison committee
How many backbenchers rebelled over compensation for victims of the contaminated blood scandal in 2023?,22
What threat caused Home Secretary Cleverly to reverse plans on criminalising homelessness in 2024?,A rebellion by 40 MPs
How many backbenchers rebelled on the Rwanda bill?,30
What role did Frank Field have in Parliament?,Head of the Work and Pensions Committee
What can damage the effectiveness of parliamentary committees?,High turnover of members
What issue tested cross-party cohesion in the Exiting the EU committee?,Disagreements over Brexit stance
What scandal did the Home Affairs Committee investigate involving Amber Rudd?,The Windrush Scandal
What did leaked emails reveal about Amber Rudd’s testimony to the committee?,She denied deportation targets that she was aware of
What issue led to Carrie Gracie resigning from BBC China and giving evidence to a committee?,Gender pay equality
What did the Commons Privileges Committee find about Boris Johnson and Partygate?,He knowingly misled Parliament
What action did Johnson take after the Privileges Committee’s finding?,He resigned as an MP
How many times did Johnson fail to attend the Liaison committee in 2019?,3 times
Did Dominic Cummings attend the ‘fake news’ committee when asked?,No
What is the average acceptance rate of committee recommendations by the government?,40%
What was a key PAC investigation in 2015 about?,Effectiveness of cancer care by the NHS
What were the findings of the PAC investigation into cancer care?,Criticism of variations in treatment + low cure rates + and long waiting times
What was the impact of the PAC report on cancer care?,Government launched a review and set up an independent task force
What was a key DSC report in 2015 about?,Treasury proposals for stricter regulation of the banking sector
What did the DSC report on banking regulation insist the government should do?,Implement recommendations of the parliamentary commission on banking standards
What was a DSC investigation in 2016 about?,Alleged bad working practices at Sports Direct
What was the outcome of the DSC investigation into Sports Direct?,The company was forced to pay compensation for paying below minimum wage
What did Sir Gerald Kaufman say about Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs)?,It had become an “exchange of pointless and useless declamations”
What change did Tony Blair make to the format of PMQs?,Replaced two 15-minute sessions with a single 30-minute session on Wednesdays
What did Rachel Reeves state about Jeremy Hunt’s economic policies in 2023 during PMQs?,That he had failed with costs due to raising taxes + leaving working people worse off despite some tax cuts
What did Speaker Lindsay Hoyle call PMQs?,“Pure theatre” that the “world watches”
What were David Cameron’s aides found to be doing regarding PMQs?,Planting questions by sending suggested questions to backbencher MPs
When did Theresa May’s government face a vote of no confidence over their Brexit deal?,January 2019
What was the outcome of the vote of no confidence in May’s government?,She survived by a majority of 19
When did Conservative MPs hold a vote of no confidence against Boris Johnson?,June 2022
What was the outcome of the vote of no confidence in Johnson?,He won with 58.8% support
When did James Callaghan lose a vote of no confidence - triggering a general election?,1979
What issue led to several Westminster sex scandals in 2017?,A change in culture making previously acceptable behaviour unacceptable
Name three MPs who resigned or were suspended in the 2017 sex scandals?,Michael Fallon + Stephen Crabb + Kelvin Hopkins
What did Mark Garnier admit to doing with his assistant?,Calling her an inappropriate nickname and asking her to buy sex toys
What did Neil Parrish MP do in the House of Commons in June 2022?,Watched “tractor porn”
What did William Wragg MP do in April 2024?,Stood down after leaking MPs’ phone numbers
What financial activities was Mark Menzies MP under scrutiny for?,Questionable activities to settle a distressing situation
What did Chris Pincher do in June 2022 - leading to his resignation as Deputy Chief Whip?,Allegedly groped two men while drunk
What MP was arrested in 2025 on suspicion of child sex offences and rape?,Dan Norris
What issue plagued the Labour Party?,Antisemitism
What did Labour MP Martin Linton say in 2010 regarding Israel?,That there were “long tentacles of Israel” funding election campaigns
What did Labour MP Naz Shah share on social media during the 2014 Israel-Gaza War?,An image suggesting relocating Israel to the US
What happened to Jeremy Corbyn in October 2019 due to antisemitism issues?,He was suspended from the Labour Party
What is the Labour Party under Keir Starmer currently trying to do regarding antisemitism claims?,Distance itself from past claims
What did Declassified find regarding Labour MPs and the Israel lobby?,41 sitting MPs accepted money and over 50 visits were funded since 1999
What Covid restriction did Health Secretary Matt Hancock break in 2021?,Kissing someone outside his social bubble
What was the outcome for Hancock after breaking Covid rules?,He resigned
What scandal in 2009 caused huge backlash for MPs?,The MP Expenses Scandal
What were the consequences of the MP Expenses Scandal?,Ministerial resignations + backbench resignations + MPs imprisoned + MPs retiring
What knowledge did Lord Dannatt bring to the House of Lords?,Extensive military knowledge as former Chief of Staff
What role did Baroness Owen have before being appointed to the Lords?,Special advisor to PMs Johnson and Truss
What former PM was elevated to the Lords and became Foreign Secretary in 2023?,Lord Cameron
How did Baroness Morgan of Cotes use her expertise in the Lords?,To put through an amendment on the Domestic Violence Bill
How many government defeats were there in the Lords under Theresa May (2017-2019)?,69
How many committee sittings and pieces of written evidence did the Immigration Act 2014 have in the Lords?,11 sittings + 66 pieces of evidence
How many defeats has the government suffered in the Lords over the Rwanda deportation scheme?,Five
What is a criticism of the House of Lords appointments system?,Corrupt appointments of large Tory donors
Who did Rishi Sunak deny a peerage to against HOLAC recommendations?,Stanley Johnson
How many government defeats were there in the Lords in the 2019-24 Parliament?,411
What percentage of peers never or rarely attend?,13%
What proportion of donations to parties since 2001 came from peers?,£1 in every £14
What are the two types of ministerial responsibility?,Individual and collective
What is Individual Ministerial Responsibility (IMR)?,Each minister is accountable for their department’s actions and their personal life + and should resign if they fail
What is Collective Ministerial Responsibility (CMR)?,Ministers should maintain a united front for the party until decisions are reached; disagreement requires resignation
Give an example of IMR involving Chris Pincher?,He resigned as a whip after groping men + arguably hastening Johnson’s downfall
Give an example of IMR involving Suella Braverman?,She resigned as Home Secretary for sharing secure information
Give an example of IMR involving Gavin Williamson?,He resigned over bullying allegations
Give an example of IMR involving Amber Rudd?,She resigned as Home Secretary for misleading a committee
What government post did Liam Fox resign from due to IMR?,Defence Secretary
What is the structure of the Executive?,Prime Minister and Cabinet
What are the role and powers of the Executive?,To implement and administer laws + formulate policy + and direct government departments
What is ministerial neutrality?,Civil servants are politically neutral and serve the government of the day impartially
What is the principle of civil service impartiality?,Civil servants should not be influenced by their personal political views
What does civil service objectivity entail?,Civil servants should provide objective and unbiased advice based on evidence
What is the purpose of the civil service code?,To set out the core values and standards of behaviour for civil servants
What are the core values of the civil service code?,Integrity + honesty + objectivity + and impartiality
What are examples of maintaining political neutrality for civil servants?,Avoiding public political activity + not expressing personal political views at work
What is the role of the Head of the Civil Service in upholding neutrality?,Ensuring civil servants understand and adhere to the code
What are potential challenges to civil service neutrality?,Politicisation of appointments + blurring lines between political advisors and civil servants
What is judicial neutrality?,Judges should be impartial and free from bias in their decision-making
What are key aspects of judicial neutrality?,Impartiality + objectivity + and independence
What is judicial impartiality?,Judges should not have any personal interest or bias in a case
What is judicial objectivity?,Judges should base their decisions on the law and evidence + not personal opinions
What is judicial independence?,The judiciary should be free from influence from the executive and legislature
What are measures to ensure judicial independence?,Security of tenure + separation of powers + independent appointments process
What is the role of the Lord Chancellor regarding judicial independence?,To uphold and protect it
What are potential threats to judicial neutrality and independence?,Political pressure + personal bias + lack of diversity in the judiciary
What is the principle of parliamentary neutrality of the Speaker?,The Speaker should be politically impartial and act as a neutral chair
How is the Speaker’s neutrality maintained?,Resigning from their political party upon election + upholding parliamentary rules fairly
What is the Speaker’s role in debates?,To ensure all sides are heard and maintain order impartially
What are potential challenges to the Speaker’s neutrality?, Past political affiliations + perceptions of bias by different parties
