Institutions – The UK Constitution Flashcards
Which of the following is true about the UK Parliament?
A. The House of Lords can block finance bills
B. The House of Commons must approve legislation, but the King can veto it
C. The House of Commons has no role in taxation
D. The House of Lords can suggest amendments to legislation
D – The House of Lords can suggest amendments to legislation
Explanation: While the Lords cannot block financial legislation, they play a key role in scrutinising and suggesting amendments to general legislation. These suggestions must be approved by the Commons.
What was one of the main purposes of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005?
A. To abolish the House of Lords
B. To combine Parliament and the courts
C. To reinforce the separation of powers and create the Supreme Court
D. To give the Prime Minister judicial powers
C – To reinforce the separation of powers and create the Supreme Court
Explanation: The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 created the UK Supreme Court and removed judicial functions from the House of Lords to enhance judicial independence.
A government minister passes a regulation under powers granted by Parliament. A civil servant in the same department later issues a related policy without the minister’s direct approval. Is this lawful?
A. No, all decisions must be made by the minister personally
B. Yes, civil servants can exercise powers under delegated authority
C. No, civil servants have no legal power
D. Yes, as long as the regulation is signed by the King
B – Yes, civil servants can exercise powers under delegated authority
Explanation: Delegation within government departments is lawful and practical. Ministers remain politically accountable, but civil servants can lawfully act under their delegated powers.
A local council bans street protests without legal basis. A citizen challenges the decision in the Administrative Court. What principle is being enforced?
A. Parliamentary sovereignty
B. Prerogative power
C. Rule of law
D. Statutory interpretation
A – Parliamentary sovereignty
Explanation: The principle enforced is that public bodies must act within powers granted by Parliament. If they act beyond this, courts can intervene to protect parliamentary sovereignty.
A new Act gives the Prime Minister power to overturn judicial decisions. Why would this raise constitutional concern?
A. It enhances democracy
B. It upholds parliamentary sovereignty
C. It undermines judicial independence and breaches separation of powers
D. It allows efficient government
C – It undermines judicial independence and breaches separation of powers
Explanation: Allowing the Executive to override the Judiciary undermines judicial independence and violates the core principle of separation of powers in the UK constitution.
The government passes an Act that is challenged in court for violating devolved powers. Which body is responsible for ruling on this constitutional issue?
A. The Prime Minister
B. The Administrative Court
C. The House of Lords
D. The Supreme Court
D – The Supreme Court
Explanation: The Supreme Court is the final authority on constitutional matters in the UK, including whether devolved legislatures have acted within their powers.
