UK GOVT

Question 1

The Parliamentary System

Answer 1

*separation of powers: legislature(parliament)=
make laws
executive(PM)=carry out laws
judiciary(interpret laws)=interpret laws
*enforces democracy, prevents dictatorship

Question 2

Features of Parliamentary System/WMM

Answer 2

-Fusion of power=overlap between membership of the two branches(Executive part of legislature and vice versa)
-legislature can dismiss the executive/(parliamentary sovereignty)
-Govt is accountable to parliament
-collective single-part govt= led by PM and chosen cabinet
-Constitutional monarchy=ceremonial role but has prerogative powers.
-uncodified constitution
-independent judiciary upholds law
-local govt weaker than central.

Question 4

Rights in the UK

Question 5

rights/civil liberties

Answer 5

-fundamental freedoms enjoyed by citizens under limited govt in most liberal democracies

Question 6

examples of rights

Answer 6

-privacy, ownership, free trial
- freedom of speech, from arbitrary arrest

Question 7

Where are the rights set out?

Answer 7

-uncodified nature, constantly evolving
-system characterised by negative rights not positive(can do anything as long as not prohibited by statute)

Question 8

sources of rights

Answer 8

-overlapping web of provisions:
1) sovereign and robust parliament
2)common law
3) public opinion prevents govt encroaching upon freedoms
example: ‘right to life’ from parliamentary statutes like the Abolition of the death penalty Act(1965) but also international conventions like protocol 13 of the ECHR

Question 9

current issues regarding rights