key terms

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

A set of rules determining where sovereignty lies in a political system, and establishing the relationship between the government and the governed 

Question 2

Unentrenched

Answer 2

A constitution with no special procedure for amendment

Question 3

Uncodified

Answer 3

A constitution not contained in a single written document

Question 4

unitary

Answer 4

A political system where all legal sovereignty is contained in a single place

Question 5

Parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 5

The principal that Parliament can make amend or unmake any law and cannot bind its successes or be bound by its predecessors

Question 6

The rule of law

Answer 6

The principal that all people and bodies ,including government, must follow the law and be held to account if they do not

Question 7

statute law

Answer 7

Laws passed by parliament

Question 8

common law

Answer 8

Laws made by judges where the Lord does not cover the issue or is unclear

Question 9

Conventions

Answer 9

Traditions not contained in law but influential in operation of a political system

Question 10

Authoritative works

Answer 10

Works written by experts describing how political system is run, they are not legally binding but are taken as significant guides

Question 11

Treaties

Answer 11

Formal agreements with other countries, usually ratified by parliament

Question 12

Devolution

Answer 12

The dispersal of power, but not sovereignty, within a political system

Question 13

Parliament

Answer 13

The British legislature made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch

Question 14

House of Commons

Answer 14

The primary chamber in the UK legislature directly elected by voters

Question 15

House of Lords

Answer 15

The second chamber of the UK legislature, not directly elected by voters

Question 16

confidence and supply

Answer 16

• The rights to remove the government and to grant or withhold funding
• also used to describe a type of informal coalition agreement where the minority partner agrees to provide these things in exchange for policy concessions

Question 17

salisbury convention

Answer 17

The convention where the house of laws does not delay or block legislation that was included in a government manifesto

Question 18

parliamentary privilege

Answer 18

The rights of MPs or Lords to make certain statements within Parliament without being subject to outside influence, including law

Question 19

legislative bills

Answer 19

Proposed laws passing through parliament

Question 20

public bill committee

Answer 20

Committees responsible for looking at bills in detail

Question 21

Back benchers

Answer 21

MPs or Lords, who do not hold any government office

Question 22

Opposition

Answer 22

The MPs and Lords, who are not members of the governing party or parties

Question 23

select committees

Answer 23

Committee responsible for scrutinising the work of government,
often of an individual government department 

Question 24

Executive

Answer 24

The collective group of Prime Minister, cabinet and junior ministers, sometimes known as the government 

Question 25

Cabinet

Answer 25

The Prime Minister and senior ministers, most of whom lead a particular government department

Question 26

minister

Answer 26

An MP or member of the House of Lords appointed to a position in the government, usually exercising specific responsibilities in a department

Question 27

government department

Answer 27

a part of the executive, usually with specific responsibility over an area such as education, health or defence

Question 28

Royal prerogative

Answer 28

A set of powers and privileges belonging to the monarch but normally exercised by the prime minister or cabinet,
such as the granting of honours or legal pardons

Question 29

second legislation

Answer 29

powers given to the executive by parliament to make changes to the law within certain specific rules

Question 30

individual responsibility

Answer 30

the principle by which ministers are responsible for their personal conduct and their departments

Question 31

collective responsibility

Answer 31

principle by which ministers must support cabinet decisions or leave the executive

Question 32

presidential government

Answer 32

an executive dominated by one individual
describes a strong dominant Prime Minister