Sovereignity

Question 1

Where does sovereignity lie in the UK

Answer 1

+ Political

+ Legal

+ Devolution/quasi-federalism

+ EU has no sovereignity

Question 2

What is sovereignty?

Answer 2

• Ultimate power - implying it cannot be overruled.
• The source of all other political powers - can delegate power but reserves the right to recover these powers.
• Only removed and transferred, at least in a democracy, by special procedures that involve popular consent.

Question 3

Parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 3

• Principle of the UK constitution.
• Makes Parliament the supreme legal authority in the UK - can create or end any law.
• Courts cannot overrule its legislation and no parliament can pass laws that future parliaments cannot change.
• Example of legal sovereignity.

Question 4

Legal sovereignty

Answer 4

• Parliament’s laws will be supreme in all circumstances.
• Political power can only be exercised if given explicit power to a body.
• Parliament is a single authority - can declare its constitution.

+ EXAMPLE = Brexit was the final confirmation of PS - EU previously was superior to parliamentary statutes (courts and law).

Question 5

Political sovereignity

Answer 5

+ Reflects ah