Constitution Flashcards
What is a constitution?
A set of rules that states how a country should be governed.
What is a codified constitution?
Major principles underpinning political system are collected in a single authoritative document (US Constitution)
What is an uncodified constitution?
Has no single source for principles, found in number of places (UK constitution)
Name the 10 features of the UK constitution
- Uncodified
- Important constitutional arrangements aren’t written down but rely on convention
- Many different sources
- Not entrenched
- Royal Prerogative powers reside with the prime minister
- Different ways to interpret the constitution
- UK parliament is sovereign so has legislative supremacy
- Can be amended by act of parliament
- Has a single-tier legal system
- Judicial review sometimes used to challenge the government`s actions.
What are the sources of the UK constitution?
Statute Law- Common Law- Royal prerogative- . Conventions- . Authoritative works- European Union Law-
What are the key principles of the UK constitution?
Parliamentary Sovereignty- Rule of Law- . The Unitary State- . Parliamentary government- Membership of the EU-
Name three things that could challenge Parliamentary sovereignty
EU membership
Devolution
Power of the executive
Name three cases where the British constitution has been challenged
European Union
FPTP electoral system
Ireland
What is Charter 88 (unlock democracy)?
Campaign group set up in 1988 who wanted things such constitutional and electoral reform, a Bill of Rights and House of Lords reform
What were New Labour`s reforms post 1997?
Devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 1998 House of Lords Reform 1999 Freedom of Information Act 2000 Electoral reform 1998 The Human Rights Act 1998 London Mayoral elections 1998 Constitutional Reform Act 2005
