History of the UK Constitution Flashcards
1
Q
Magna Carta 1215?
A
- Fair trials for free men
- King subject to the law
- No taxation without representation (parliamentary consent)
LIMITS ROYAL POWER
2
Q
Bill of Rights 1689?
A
- Regular parliaments
- Free elections
- Prohibition of cruel/unusual punishment
- Monarch could not suspend laws or levy taxes without Parliament’s consent
** ENSURES PARLIAMENTARY SOVEREIGNTY**
3
Q
Act of Settlement 1701?
A
- Only Protestants can inherit the throne
- Monarch cannot unilaterally dismiss judges or engage in England in foreign wars without Parliament’s consent
- Monarch must make decisions of governance in consultation with the Privy Council
** REINFORCES PARLIAMENTARY SOVEREIGNTY**
4
Q
The Act of Union 1707?
A
- Dissolved English and Scottish parliaments to creat unified Parliament of Great Britain
- Centralised political power in London
5
Q
What did Scotland retain after the 1707 Act of Union?
A
It’s legal system, church and education system.
6
Q
Who passed the Parliament act of 1911?
A
The Liberal government
7
Q
What did the Parliament Act of 1911 do?
A
- Removed HOL’s power to reject money bills (taxation and spending)
- Removed HOL’s power to veto to a delay of 2 years
8
Q
Who passed the Parliament Act of 1949?
A
Forced through by Labour government using the 1911 Parliament Act
9
Q
What did the Parliament Act of 1949 do?
A
Reduced HOL’s power to delay to 1 year
10
Q
What is an ‘elected dictatorship’? (Coined by Lord Hailsham)
A
Parliament is dominated by government (hard for the Lords to stop the Commons getting its way)
11
Q
When has the Parliament Act of 1949 been used?
A
- Hunting Act 2004
- War Crimes Act 1991
- Elections Act 1999
- Sexual Offences (amendment) Act 2000
12
Q
Why had the Parliament Act 1949 only been used 4 times?
A
- It’s a deterrent (to the Lords)
- Preemptive (try to work with commons and make amendments)
- It has changed the Lord’s behaviour
