Features of the UK Constitution

Question 1

The UK Constitution consists of which three main things?

Answer 1

1. Acts of Parliament
2. Common law
3. Conventions

Question 2

The _____ ___ _____ informs the UK constitution and states:

• Law should be applied ________
• Government should act in __________ ____ ___ ____
• Laws should not have _________ ______

Answer 2

rule of law

fairly

accordance with the law

retroactive effect

Question 3

The UK constitution is ___________, meaning there’s no specific procedure set out to amend it

Answer 3

unentrenched

Question 4

What is the highest source of law in the UK?

Answer 4

Acts of Parliament

Question 5

UK courts have no power to _______ ____ Acts of Parliament, but they can _______ ____

Answer 5

strike down, interpret laws

Question 6

What’s the term that refers to a collection of powers under the common law recognised as belonging to the Crown?

Answer 6

Royal prerogative

Question 7

Which term provides that government have the power to carry on ordinary business even if the power is not explicitly set out in statute or royal prerogative?

Answer 7

Ram Doctrine

Question 8

Constitutional Conventions

The Monarch will always give ________ ______ to a bill passed by Parliament

The Monarch will always act on the advice of the _____ _________

Government ministers can be appointed only from among the ________ __ _________

They must also _____ _____________ for policy failures

The government is __________ to Parliament by government ministers appearing in Parliament to answer questions and take part in debates

Answer 8

Royal assent, Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, take responsibility, accountable

Question 9

What is the term given to the fact that devolution to each of the four nations is not symmetrical?

Answer 9

asymmetric devolution

Question 10

Leadership of the __________ branch is appointed from the members of _________ rather than being elected separately from the legislature

Answer 10

executive, Parliament