Government of the UK Flashcards
What is a codified constitution?
All provisions are written down in a single set of documents e.g. US Constitution
What is an uncodified constitution?
A constitution that is not contained in a single set of documents e.g. UK Constitution
What is parliamentary sovereignty?
The principle of the British Constitution that makes parliament the ultimate authority
What is a statute law?
A law that has been passed by both houses of Parliament and has received the royal assent
What is a common law?
The body of legal precedent resulting from the rulings of senior judges
What are conventions?
Unwritten rules and procedures mostly concerned with parliament that facilitate the smooth running of the Constitution
What is constitutional sovereignty?
When a codified constitution has ultimate authority
What is a referendum?
A direct public vote on a policy measure, opposite of representative government
What is an MP?
Person formally and directly elected by voters to sit in the House of Commons
What is the House of Commons?
The elected portion of parliament and where most power lies
What is the House of Lords?
The unelected and least powerful chamber in parliament
What is legislation?
Measures put before parliament that, once passed, become law
What is the Burkean theory?
Elected officials are purely representative of their voters. They are entirely free to act in the interest of their electors as they see fit
What is the delegate theory?
Theory that views MPs as being bound by the wishes of their constituents
What is the mandate theory?
Theory suggests that MPs are primarily in their position to represent and carry out their parties policies and manifestos
What are payroll voters?
A group of voters who are guaranteed to vote alongside the PM
What is devolution?
The transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially by central government to local administration
