The twin pillars of the UK constitution: parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law 1.1

Question 1

parliamentary sovreignty

Answer 1

the principle that parliament can make, amend or unmake any law, and cannot bind its successors or be bound by its predecessors

Question 2

what are three main ways that parliamentary sovreignity has been shown

Answer 2

• UK’s Supreme Court can interpret but not overturn an act of parliament
• Parliament has the right to amend or repeal any acts passed by previous parliaments ( 2003 and section 28 [ homosexuality being ‘promoted’])
• Parliament can make a law
  on any subject ( legalising abortion, getting rid of death penalty )

Question 3

rule of law

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what are four examples of the rule of law

Answer 4

• everyone is entitled to a fair trial and no one should be imprisoned without due legal process
• all citizens must obey the law and are equal under it
• public officials are not above the law and they can be held to account by the courts
• the judiciary must be independent of political interference.