Constitution & Monarchy Flashcards
What is a constitution?
A single document setting out the structure & principles of gov and its relationship with its citizens
What are the branches of government?
- Legislature makes the law - commons & lords
- Executive executes the law - gov and civil service
- judiciary adjudicates the law - judges
What are the principles of the constitution?
- Democracy
- Gov reflects the will of the people
- Independent judiciary (law applied by courts, not gov)
- Rule of Law
Parliamentary sovereignty
The legal doctrine that parliament is the supreme law making body in our constitution
Political sovereignty
Is in the hands of the people as they freely elect the gov
gov must act within the law
A breach of law must be established by an impartial court/tribunal
Constitutional Monarchy facts
- UK holds a constitutional monarchy
- King/Queen reigns but does not rule
- Ministers rule in their name
- Monarch is above politics: impartial
- Has the right to encourage, advise and warn
Conventions of the Monarchy
- Respects the party system
- Takes advice from ministers, especially PM
Royal Prerogative
Formal powers of the monarch
The prerogative powers (Queens powers)
- Appointment of the PM
- Appointment of ministers
- Dismissal of gov
- Queen’s Speech
- Declaring war
- Approving legislation
- Royal Pardon
- Royal Assent (approving legislation)
What is the basis for our Constitution?
- Statutes (acts of parliament)
- Case Law (judge made the law)
- Conventions (accepted principles of gov enforced by public opinion)
- International Treaties
- Works of theorists
How much is the monarchy?
Total yearly cost is £33 million excluding Prince Charles
3 main sources of funding
- The sovereign Grant funds official duties & palaces from the % of crown estate profits
- Privy Purse is the income from Dutchy of Lancaster - they fund other members of the royal family
- Personal wealth funds private palaces
