UK Parliament Flashcards
Key words, Key laws, examples of sovereignty, examples of lack of sovereignty, functions of Commons and functions of Lords
What does it mean if a constitution is unentrenched?
It is easily amended
What is a codified constitution?
Written in one place
What does unitary mean?
Power is held in one place (e.g Parliament)
What is Sovereignty?
Absolute power
What is statute law?
A law passed by Parliament
What is Common Law?
Unwritten laws often used when statute law is unclear.
What are conventions?
A way in which something is usually done
What is devolution?
Decentralisation of power, but not sovereignty
What is a select committee?
A committee in the commons/lords that checks governments work
What is Fixed term parliament?
Elections are to be held every 5 years.
What is a referendum?
A vote where the entire electorate is invited to vote.
What are hereditary peers?
Peers who are in the House of Lords because they inherited their title.
Who is the Legislative?
Law makers (parliament)
Who is the Judiciary?
Courts
Who is the Executive?
The Prime Minister and their government.
What is fusion of powers?
When the Executive sits IN the Legislative.
What is Parliamentary sovereignty?
Parliament has ultimate power
What is the House of Commons?
The elected lower chamber
What is the House of Lords
The unelected upper chamber
What is the salisbury convention?
The Lords can’t oppose 2nd or 3rd reading legislation that is in the governments manifesto.
What is Parliamentary Privilege
Legal immunity granted to MPs that allow them to carry out their duties without interference.
What are backbenchers?
A member of Parliament who is not in the government or shadow cabinet
What is a Life Peer?
Members of Lords whose title cannot be inherited
What is a Private Members Bill?
Public Bills introduced by MPs and Lords who are not government ministers.
What is the Party Whip?
Someone who ensures party discipline (members vote for what the party wants)
What did the Parliament Act (1911, 1949) do?
Limited the power of the House of Lords
What is common law?
Unwritten laws often used when statute law is unclear.
What was the Scotland Act 1998? (Devolution) List one thing:
- gave scotland power over healthcare
- gave scotland power over education
- gave power over roads and public transport
- gave scotland power over criminal and civil law
- gave scotland power over policing
- gave scotland power over local authority services
- gave scotland the power to change the rate of income tax by 3%
- allowed scotland to remove tuition fees for scottish students at scottish universities
Examples of flexibility.
- Firearms Act, 1997 – following Dunblane massacre.
- Brexit.
What did the House of Lords Reform Act do? (1999)
Reduced the number of hereditary peers to 92.
What did the Constitutional Reform Act do? (2005)
Created an independent judiciary (the supreme court)
What did the Fixed Term Parliament Act do? (2011)
Parliament had to be called every 5 years, and no snap election unless a super majority.
In most places, what was the turnout for Elected Police crime commissioners in 2012?
30%
Examples of parliamentary sovereignty
The House of Lords cannot vote against legislation in the governments manifesto, or in its second or third reading.
Example of parliamentary sovereignty being questioned
2023: Supreme court overrules Rwanda Policy.
What was the highest court before the Supreme Court?
The Law Lords
What is ‘Ping Pong Politics?’
A bill travelling back and forth between the Houses until all amendments are resolved.
Who can’t amend money bills?
House of Lords
How long can a money bill last without royal ascent?
One month
Where do money bills start?
The commons
What are money bills?
Bills designed to raise money through taxes or spend public money.
What was the House of Lords Reform Bill? (2012)
Led by Nick Clegg. Planned to make the Lords largely elected. This was abandoned after conservative backlash.
When was the hunting ban?
2004
Who has sovereign powers? The Commons or the Lords?
Commons
Who can kill a bill? The Commons or the Lords?
Commons
Who remains sovereign even when the executive has made a mandate? The Commons or the Lords?
Commons
Who can dismiss a government? The Commons or the Lords?
Commons
Who has potential control over public finances? The Commons or the Lords?
Commons
In which chamber can MPs defy the party whip if they choose? The Commons or the Lords?
Commons
Who has the final say on legislative amendments? The Commons or the Lords?
Commons
Who lacks democratic legitimacy? The Commons or the Lords?
Lords
Who can only delay legislation by a year at most? The Commons or the Lords?
Lords
Who can’t obstruct the governments manifesto? The Commons or the Lords?
Lords
Who cannot dismiss a government? The Commons or the Lords?
Lords
Who cannot regulate financial affairs? The Commons or the Lords?
Lords
Who is constrained by the threat of reform or even abolition? The Commons or the Lords?
Lords
Who can propose amendments, but can be overruled by the opposite chamber? The Commons or the Lords?
Lords
