Contsitiution

Question 1

What are the twin pillars?

Answer 1

Rule of law and parliamentary sovereignty

Question 2

When was the Magna Carta?

Answer 2

1215
(Created the principle of the rule of law)

Question 3

Bill of Rights

Answer 3

1689
(Stablished parliamentary sovereignty over the monarch)

Question 4

Parliament Acts (2)

Answer 4

1911/49
Established the House of Commons superior to the House of Lords
Limited House of Lord’s powers

Question 5

European Committees Act?

Answer 5

1972
Brought UK into European Union

Question 6

Both acts which were signed in 1998?

Answer 6

Devolution Act
- large amounts of power transferred to govts in Scotland/Wales/NI
Human Rights Act
Put the European Convention of Human Rights into law!

Question 7

Constitutional Reform Act

Answer 7

2005
- within this the Supreme Court was established (confirming the independence of the judiciary)

Question 8

Notice of withdrawal act

Answer 8

2017
UK agrees to leave EU

Question 9

Example of how an uncodified/entrenched constitution is good? ✅
(But could also argue it gives govt too much power?❌)

Answer 9

Prevention of terrorism act 2005 (after the 2005 bombings)
- parliament could suspend human rights
- govt proposed the extend the maximum period of detention to 90 days (this was defeated by parliament but compromised to 28 days)

Question 10

Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 (labour❤️)
- examples

Answer 10

Devolution
- Scottish Parliament, Welsh and NI assemblies, and London Mayor assembly created

Electoral Reform
- introduction of AMS, STV, SV
- Human Rights Act 1998 (fully binding)
- eg. Freedom of Information Act 2000

HoC reform
- Backbench Business Committee established
- select committee salaries ⬆️

HoL reform 1999
- parliament acts 1911/49 limited their powers to delay legislation to 2, then 1 year (and abolished power over financial bills)
- now mainly appointed
- hereditary peers reduced ⬇️ to 92

Supreme Court 2005
- established
- judiciary now separated from govt - INDEPENDENT
- 12 senior judges removed from HoC and JAC set up

Question 11

Constitutional Reform 2010-15 - (coalition govt💚)

Answer 11

Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011
- elections must happen every 5 years
- early election can only occur if there is a vote of no confidence and no new govt is called within 14 days

Further devolution to Wales 2014
- referendum to give Wales more power over education/transport etc
- turnout = 35% 😰

Recall of MP’s Act 2015
- constituencies can recall (restand for election) any MP involved with misbehaviour
- need a petition supported by 10% of constituents

Question 12

Consitiutional Reform since 2015 - (conservative 💙)

Answer 12

Further devolution to Scotland
- devo-max
- Westminster granted more powers to scot govt

Devolution to cities & regions
- elected mayors -eg. Manchester!
- but Manchester election turnout = 29% 😰

2016 Brexit Referendum & Notice of Withdrawal Act 2017
Turnout - 72%
Votes to leave - 52%

Question 13

What does quasi-federalism mean?

Answer 13

In terms of devolution, although our constitution is unentrenched, devolution could be consided secure and entrenched because all changes have occurred via referendum meaning they have popular support - govt is unlikely to take that away

Question 14

Devolution STATS

Answer 14

England
- 2004 NE referendum for more devolution
- 78% rejected further devolution

Scotland
- Scottish independence referendum 2014
- 55/45% to NO
- more power over policies -eg. Free university tuition fees
- 2011 SNP majority in Scottish Parliament

Wales
- more power meant that welsh agriculture is now well protected

NI
- forced coalition- unionists and nationalists must both be present in govt
- maintains peace and prevents religious conflict
-pass laws outside Westminster -eg. Abortion was illegal until 2019