Intro to the UK Constitution

Question 1

Constitution?

Answer 1

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organisation is to be governed.

Question 2

Principles?

Answer 2

Rules and laws

Question 3

Precedents?

Answer 3

Traditions, established by experience

Question 4

What did Thomas Payne say in 1795?

Answer 4

‘Government without a constitution is power without right’

Question 5

What do constitutions do?

Answer 5

1. Give governments legitimacy
2. Protect freedoms
3. Distinguishes spheres of influence of government branches
4. Set out a state’s goals and values

Question 6

Codified constitution?

Answer 6

A single written document.

Question 7

What do codified constitutions usually contain?

Answer 7

1. A preamble (outline values)
2. Nature of institutions
3. Bill of rights
4. Amendments

Question 8

Uncodified constitution?

Answer 8

Formed of a variety of sources such as laws and conventions.

Question 9

Unentrenched?

Answer 9

Easily amended

Question 10

Why is it good that uncodified constitutions are flexible?

Answer 10

1. Easy to amend (unentrenched)
2. Allow for quick constitutional change
3. Allow constitutions to keep up with society
4. Prevent revolutions

Question 11

Example of uncodified vs codified?

Answer 11

US constitution: codified. 2nd amendment- right to keep and bear arms. 2023- 656 mass shootings

UK constitution: uncodified. After Dunblane shooting in 1996, Fireams Amendment Act passed one year later in 1997. 2023- 1 mass shooting

Question 12

Fundamental/ higher laws?

Answer 12

Entrenched laws in a codified constitution.

Question 13

When is a law ‘unconstitutional’?

Answer 13

If it conflicts with a fundamental/ higher law.

Question 14

Judiciable?

Answer 14

Issues may be definitively decided in a court of law