UK Constitution Flashcards

1
Q

Uncodified

A

Uncodified constitution means there is no legal written document we can refer to like in the US constitution to outline legal rights.
Example: UK constitution is composed from parliamentary statues, common law and conventions.

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2
Q

Unitary

A

All political power and legal power is with the UK parliament, other bodies that exist eg Scottish parliament only exercise power and authority over they have been given permission to by the UK parliament (devolved power). The UK parliament can also remove power.

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3
Q

Parliamentary Sovereignty

A

UK parliament is supreme over all other forms of institutional power. Parliament can pass any law and laws can be reversed eg 2010 coalition government introduced an act to make fixed terms of 5 years, the 2015 government can repeal this. This is because the government are elected by the people, who give them legitimacy. So in theory any elected government can pass or revolve any law.

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4
Q

Limited Separation of Powers

A

The executive (PM) and legislative are both part of the parliament so the PM can also be an MP. Justices appointed to the UK supreme court are done so by the PM. The UK supreme court also has no legislative VETO.

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5
Q

Rule of Law

A

Government, police and the legal system are under the same rules of society (no one is above the law). eg MP’s jailed after expenses scandal. The successful application of the rule of law depends on the roles of trial by jury and judges.

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