UK Constitution Flashcards
What is a codified and uncodified constitution?
Codified - written in one place
Uncodified - several sources
What is an entrenched and non-entrenched constitution?
Entrenched - special amendment procedure
Non-entrenched - same as normal laws
What are the 5 key documents of the UK constitution and when were they created?
- Magna Carta - 1215
- Bill of Rights - 1689
- Act of Settlement - 1701
- Acts of Union - 1707
- Parliament Acts - 1911, 1949
What are the 4 sources of the UK constitution?
- Statute law (overrides other laws)
- Common law (laws of tradition)
- Conventions (non-legal rules of conduct)
- Works of authority (works of expert scholars)
What is parliamentary sovereignty?
The principle that absolute, supreme, and unrestricted power lies with parliament
What are the 3 main principles of the UK constitution?
- Rule of law
- Parliamentary government (fusion of powers)
- Constitutional monarchy (symbolic monarchy)
What are 3 strengths of the UK constitution?
- Flexible (easily amended)
- Powerful elected officials
- Effective (strong) government
What are 3 weaknesses of the UK constitution?
- Unclear (many sources)
- Concentrated power (lack of checks and balances)
- Lack of protection form future governments
What did the House of Lords Reform Act 1992 do?
Removed all but 92 hereditary peers from the House of Lords
When were the devolved assemblies established?
Northern Ireland - 1998
Scotland - 1999
Wales - 1999
Which law established fundamental human rights in law for the first time?
Human Rights Act 1998
What did the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 do?
Created Supreme Court
Which act limited the period between elections to 5 years and when was it signed?
Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011
What was English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) and when was it established?
Only English MPs could vote on matters that affect only England
Established in 2016
