Uk constitution

Question 1

Functions of the constitution

Answer 1

Establishes:

• How institutions relate to each other
• The civil rights and freedoms of the citizens
• Who is a citizen and how you can become one
• Methods by which the constitution can be amended
• The limits to government overall
• The main processes of government

Question 2

Magna Carta (date and definition)

Answer 2

1215 - Mostly now out of date, but established the principle of rule of law

Question 3

The Glorious Revolution and Bill of Rights

Answer 3

1688-89 - Established the sovereignty of Parliament and its supremacy over the monarch

Question 4

Parliament Acts

Answer 4

1911 & 1941 - Limited the power of the Lords and established the Commons as superior to the Lords

Question 5

European Communities Act

Answer 5

1972 - Brought the UK into the EU; since rescinded

Question 6

Devolution Acts

Answer 6

1998 - Power transferred from Westminster to governments in Wales, Scotland and N. I.

Question 7

Human Rights Act

Answer 7

1998 - Brought the ECHR into UK law

Question 8

Constitutional Reform Act

Answer 8

2005 - The Supreme Court was established, thus confirming independence of the judiciary

Question 9

The UK agrees to leave the EU

Answer 9

2017 - Following referendum in 2016, UK began process of repatriating sovereignty

Question 10

Sources of the constitution

Answer 10

Parliamentary statutes, constitutional conventions, established principles, common law and historical documents.

Question 11

Salisbury convention

Answer 11

The Salisbury Convention is a constitutional convention under which the House of Lords will not oppose the second or third reading of any government legislation promised in its election manifesto.

Question 12

Nature of the UK constitution

Answer 12

• Uncodified
• Not entrenched
• Has a variety of sources
• Highly flexible
• ## Not supreme

Question 13

8 key principles of the constitution

Answer 13

• Parliamentary sovereignty
• Royal prerogative
• Independence of the judiciary
• Rule of law
• Fusion of powers
• Responsible government
• Executive dominance
• Devolution

Question 14

Date of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act

Answer 14

2011

Question 15

Parliamentary government

Answer 15

• highest source of political authority
• all members of govt must be drawn from it
• govt is permanently accountable to Parliament
• fusion of powers

Question 16

Parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 16

• no individual or body can exercise power unless granted by Parl
• Parl may delegate powers but can take them back
• Parl not bound by constitutional rules- each Parl cannot bind future Parls
• each Parl is not bound by former Parls