UK Government: 2.1.2 History of the UK constitution Flashcards
When was the Magna Carta signed
1215
When was the bill of rights signed?
1688
When was the act of settlement signed?
1701
When was the act of union signed?
1707
What was the Magna Carter? How did it develop the constitution?
-Agreement between King John and Barons who rebelled against the abuse of royal power
-Largely a concession to specific demands of the nobility
-King John tried to act above the law + increase tax the Barron disagreed thinking that the king should adhere to the law.
-Written agreement limiting the king’s power first-time king agrees that the monarchs power can be limited by the people.
-law is supreme and unless you have broken the law you shouldn’t be imprisoned or fined.
What was the bill of rights? How did it develop the constitution?
-Impose more limits on royal prerogative
-Parliament consent is needed to: Levey tax (any), repel law maintain the army in peacetime.
-Regular sessions of parliament, free elections and freedom of speech during debate
-Some individual rights/liberties established e.g. freedom from excessive fines and cruel/unusual punishment
-Signed by William III and his wife Mary II taking over form James II in the Glorious revolution.
-Provide provisions for: regular parliaments, free election and freedom of speech within parliament
What was the act of Settlement? How did it develop the constitution?
- Exclude James II and his heirs from the throne at the time Cath rule was associated with tyranny guaranteeing Prot succession
- Established the right to Parliament to determine the line of succession to the throne
What were the acts of the Union? How did it develop the constitution?
-Unite England and Scotland which had a shared monarch since 1603 but had retained 2 separate Parliaments
-Both countries were now placed under one Parliament in Westminster
-Was the basis of UK centralisation of power until Blairs GOV passed legislation for the Scottish Parliament in 1997
What was the 1911 Parliament Act? How did it develop the constitution?
->was provoked by the action of the Lords in rejecting the radical tax-raising under ‘people budget’ introduced by liberal chancellor of the exchequer David Lloyd George
-> removed Lord’s power to reject money bills ( taxation & spending)
->Removes power of Lords veto to a 2-year delay
=>-Reduces the power of the HoL to interfere with the agenda in HoC.
=>contribute to elective dictatorship as Parliament is dominated by the government of the time
What was the 1949 Parliament Act?
-The act affirmed that Lords couldn’t delay money bills.
-For non-financial bills the veto power was reduced to 2 year delay previously then 1949 reduced this delaying period to 1 year
=>Reduces the power of the HoL to interfere with the agenda in HoC.
=>contribute to elective dictatorship as Parliament is dominated by the government of the time
When were 2 parliament acts passed?
1911, 1949
How many times has the Parliment act been used?
4 times
Under what acts were the Parliament Act used?
-War crime act
-European Parliamentary Elections Act
-Sexual Offences ( Amendment) Act
-Hunting act
What act widened the franchise? When did this happen?
Representation of the people’s acts 1918,1928
What act created life peers in the House of Lords? When?
Life Peerages Act 1958
