The UK Constituion

Question 1

Define individual rights?

Answer 1

Rights that belong to each citizen e.g. the right to free speech or to practise their religion or lifestyle choice without discrimination

Question 2

Define collective rights ?

Answer 2

Rights that lie with a group of people e.g members of a trade union or people with disabilities

Question 3

Define rule of law ?

Answer 3

The principle that the law is enforced and that it is applies equally to everyone including the goverment

Question 4

What type of constitution is the UK constitution and explain it? What is unitary?

Answer 4

-The British constitution is uncodified, meaning is not found in one single document or place
-the British constitution is defined as unitary meaning most of power lies with the centre, namely the westminister parliament

Question 5

Why have some political commentators defined the current constitution as quasi-federal ?

Answer 5

The development of devolved assemblies in the UK regions has weakened the centralised power by taking control over important matters such as education, health etc

Question 6

Define parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 6

The principle of the British constitution that makes parliament the ultimate authority

Question 7

What does the phrase “no parliament can bind its successors” suggest? And give example?

Answer 7

This suggest that what on elected parliament enacts as legislation a later parliament can change or revoke
- for example the UK membership of the European Union, Parliament vote to join what was then termed the EEC through the European communities act 1972. This act was later repealed by the laws that enabled Brexit, namely the European Union (withdrawal) act 2018 and the European Union (withdrawal agreement) act 2020