Constitution

Question 1

codified constitution

Answer 1

single document sets out laws, rules and principles in which state is governed to protect rights of citizens
Superior to other law and entrenched

Question 2

uncodified constution

Answer 2

laws etc not in a single document instead in different sources
Convention and statute law
Not entrenched so can be amended same as ordinary law

Question 3

Courts in codified and uncodified

Answer 3

Codifed- important use constitution to determine whether actions are constiutional
Uncodified- judicial review limited as no document that can determine wether act is unconstitutional

Question 4

Royal prerogative powers

Answer 4

appoint ministers and choose PM
give royal assent to legislation
declare war and negotiate treaties

Question 5

Statute law and examples

Answer 5

law derived from acts of parliament
HR Act 1998- set out rights of people following from ECHR
Fixed term parliament Act 2011- 5 year elections

Question 6

Conventions and example

Answer 6

established norms of political behaviour

No Monarch refused assending bill since 1707- result in constitutional crisis

Question 7

Parliamentary sovreignty

Answer 7

parliament has legal authority in state- Westminister

Question 8

Rule of law

Answer 8

relationship between state and citizens

no one above the law

Question 9

Strengths of UK constitution

Answer 9

adaptable
strong govt- day to day power resides in executive
Accountability- govt accountable to parliament and electorate

Question 10

Weakness of UK Constitution

Answer 10

Outdated and undemocratic- royal prerogative + HOL (hereditary)
Concentration of power- parliamentary sovreignty, rule of law not fully protected. Govt w majority can force legislation and undermine civil liberties
Lack of clarity- unclear hether govt acted unconstitutionally - Johnson pregoration of parliament

Question 11

Human Rights reform

Answer 11

1998- enshrined aspects of ECHR in UK law.

Question 12

Devolution reform

Answer 12

1999- Blair, devolved power to Scotland, Wales and N Ireland

Question 13

West Lothian question

Answer 13

EVEL (2013)

Question 14

HOL reform

Answer 14

1999- abolished all but 92 hereditary peers, no political party w majority.

Question 15

Supreme Court reform

Answer 15

Constituional Reform act 2005- Supreme Court removed judicial role of HOL, enhanced seperation of powers

Question 16

Arguments for codified constituion

Answer 16

logical conclusion of constituional reform- greater clarity
Limit powers of state and its institutions
Greater protection for rights of citizens
Authoritive reference point for courts

Question 17

Arguments against codified constitution

Answer 17

No consensus on what codified constitution should include
Rigid and difficult to amend
Gives unaccountable judges greater power
No process for establishing