UK Government: 2.1.1 Intro to the UK constitution

Question 1

What is a constitution?

Answer 1

A body of fundamental principles and precedents according to which a state or other organisation is to be governed.

Question 2

Define principles

Answer 2

Moral rules

Question 3

Define Precedent

Answer 3

Established traditions /behaviour

Question 4

Befits of constitution based on precedents

Answer 4

+ Easily updated comparatively
- inhibit changes
- Inequality as precedents are set by those in power

Question 5

Define Legitimacy

Answer 5

To those in power gives legal status to actions

Question 6

What does the Constitution do

Answer 6

-Protects freedoms: restrains the power of those in office and distinguishes citizens’ rights under GOV
-Distinguishes the sphere of influence of different parts of GOV
-Primary goals & values of the state

Question 7

Define uncodified constitution

Answer 7

Composed of a single written consitution

Question 8

Define Uncodifyed constitution

Answer 8

Comprised of as variety of sources laws and conventions

Question 9

Benefits of an uncodified constitution

Answer 9

-Easily amendable as it is unenchrenched
-Allow quick constitutional changes
-Constitutions keep up with society
-Prevent revolt as it’s easy to change the consitution

Question 10

Case study- codified/uncodified gun crime US vs UK

Answer 10

-Right to keep arms defended by 2nd amendment
-656 mass shootings 38 in schools
-VS after UK Dunblan Primary 1996 firearms act 1997 bans handguns in about a year after the incident.

Question 11

Negatives of an uncodified constitution

Answer 11

• Vounrabloe to party politics
• Leaves rights unprotected ( lack of entrenchment)
  -Rely on convention

Question 12

Case study- uncodified constitution previous conservative GOV

Answer 12

Voter ID- Disadvantages younger + minorities as they are less likely to have acceptable ID The older people oyster is acceptable, not younger.
Locking on protest: After the Public Order Act is higher due to effect of climate protesters

Question 13

Define Parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 13

Parliament is the supreme legal authority in the UK

Question 14

What does Parlimentary soverity give Parliment the power to do?

Answer 14

-‘make or umake any law’
-Such laws cann’t be challenged by others
-It cannot bind it’s successors

Question 15

What are the limits of Parlimentary sovereignty?

Answer 15

-Only legal soverity, don’t have political soverity
-still need consent form the people in o

Question 16

What did A.V dicey all Parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law?

Answer 16

‘the twin pillars of the constitution’

Question 17

How much prison time did Fiona Onasanya recive

Answer 17

3 months