The Constitution

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

A body of laws, rules and practices that sets out the way in which a state or society is organised.

Question 2

Codified constitution

Answer 2

A single authoritative document that sets out the constitution

Question 3

Uncodified constitution

Answer 3

Where the constitution is not gathered in a single document. Found in a variety of sorcery’s some written some unwritten.

Question 4

Entrenched

Answer 4

Difficult to change, often requiring supermajorities or approval by popular referendum.

Question 5

Statue law

Answer 5

Law derived from acts of parliament and subordinate legislation.

Question 6

Common law

Answer 6

Law derived from general customs or traditions and the decisions of judges.

Question 7

Judicial review

Answer 7

Senior judges review the actions of the government and public authorities and to declare them unlawful if they exceeded their authority.

Question 8

Royal prerogative

Answer 8

Discretionary powers of the crown that are exercised by government ministers in the monarchs name.

Question 9

Conventions

Answer 9

Established norms of political behaviour rooted in the past experience rather then the law

Question 10

Parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 10

The doctrine that parliament has absolute legal authority.

Question 11

Devolution

Answer 11

The central government delegates power to another, normally, lower tier of government.

Question 12

West Lothian question

Answer 12

Why should Scottish mps be able to vote on English matters at Westminster, when English mps cannot vote on devolved to the Scottish parliament.

Question 13

Should the uk have a codified constitution? - yes

Answer 13

• it is the logical conclusion of recent constitutional reforms
• it would provide greater clarity
• it would be an authoritative reference point for the courts
• provide greater protection for the rights of citizens
• set limits on the powers of the state

Question 14

Should the uk have a codified constitution? - no

Answer 14

• difficult to amend
• no popular demand
• give judges greater political power

Question 15

Unitary state

Answer 15

Central government has supremacy over other tiers of government, which it can reform or abolish.

Question 16

Sources of the uk constitution

Answer 16

Statute law 
Common law 
Conventions 
Authoritative works 
European union law and treaties