UK Constitutional Milestones Flashcards
What is the Magna Carta
A contract signed in 1215 between King John and some rebellious barons. It was used to prevent civil war at the time as the barons were angry and John’s (poor) leadership
What 3 things did the magna carta establish?
All are equal before the law. Some limits on the power of the monarch. Right to trial by jury.
Why is the magna carta seen as a significant constitutional move forward?
It was the first proper constitutional check on executive power.
How did the 1689 Bill of rights change the UK Constitution?
Parliament invited William and Mary to become the new monarchs IF they agreed to restrictions on their power. This led to the rise of parliamentary sovereignty and royal prerogative powers being transferred to the Prime Minister.
How did the acts of union change the UK?
It formally unified Scotland and England politically and created the United Kingdom. Previously there had been 1 monarch and 2 separate legislatures. Afterwards there was only 1 legislature in Westminster.
Think: To what extent has devolution undone this?
How did the Parliament Acts (1911/1949) change the UK legislature?
They established the supremacy (primacy) of the House of Commons and meant that the House of Lords could only delay bills and could not interfere on money bills.
Why did David Lloyd George want the Parliament act in 1911?
The House of Lords kept blocking his ‘people’s budget’ (which established national insurance)
Give an example of when the HoC has used the Parliament Act to get past the HoL quickly
The Hunting Act 2004. The Lords kept amending the bill which banned Fox hunting with dogs, so the commons used the parliament act to veto their amendments and get the bill through.
Why is the Parliament Act used so rarely?
Often the House of Lords will only block legislation once (to get the gvt to ‘think again’) and lets it through on the second attempt. This is often known as ‘ping pong ping’
How did the European communities act 1972 change sovereignty in the UK?
It meant that EU law was binding in the UK and could not be amended or repealed by the UK gvt.
(A later Supreme court case - the factortame case also established that EU law was SUPERIOR to UK law).
Brexit ended the use of EU law in the UK.
