constitution

What is a constitution

A set of rules, principles and conventions that outline how a state is governed and how power is distributed

Is the uk constitution codified or uncodified

Uncodified - its not contained in a single written document but comes from multiple sources

What does it mean that the uk constitution is unentrenched

Constitutional laws can be changed or repealed by a simple majority in parliament, like ordinary laws

What does unitary mean in relation the the uk constitution

Sovereignty ultimately lies with central government; devolved bodies only have powers granted by parliament

What are the twin pillars of the uk constitution

Parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law

What is parliamentary sovereignty

Parliament is the supreme legal authority and can make or unmake any law

What is the rule of law

Everyone, including the government is subject to the law, which must be applied equally and fairly

What is significance of Magna Carta

Established that the monarch is subject to the law and protected basic rights

When was Magna Carta

1215

Why is the Bill of Rights important

Limited monarch’s powers and strengthened parliament, laying foundations for constitutional monarchy

When was the Bill of Rights

1689

What did the Act of Settlement establish

Judicial independence and rules for royal succession

When was the Act of Settlement

1701

What was the impact of the Acts of Union

Created the United Kingdom by uniting England and Scotland under one parliament

When were the Acts of Union

1707

Why are the parliament Acts important

Reduced the power of the House of Lords and reinforced commons dominance

When were the parliament acts

1911 and 1949

What is statute law

Laws passed by parliament eg HRA 1998

What is common law

Law developed by judges through court decisions and precedents

What are constitutional conventions

Non legal ruled guiding political behaviour eg pm is leader of largest party

What are authoritative works

Writings by constitutional experts eg dicey used to interpret conventions

How do treaties act as a source of the constitution

International agreements that affect uk law eg ECHR

What major constitutional reforms did labour introduce 1997-2010

Devolution, House of Lords reform, human rights act 1998, creation of Supreme Court

What did the human rights act 1998 do

Incorporated ECHR into uk law, allowing cases to be heard in uk courts

Why was the Supreme Court created in 2009

To increase separation of powers by removing senior judges from the House of Lords

What reforms were introduced under the coalition 2010-15

Fixed term parliaments Act 2011 and further welsh devolution

Give an example of constitutional reforms since 2015

Further devolution the Scotland following the 2014 independence referendum

What is devolution

The transfer of powers from central government to regional bodies

What powers does the Scottish parliament have

Education, health, transport, and some tax raising powers

What makes Scottish devolution unique

It has the most extensive powers, including tax and legal system control

What powers does the Welsh senedd have

Health, education, local government, and some tax powers

What powers does the Northern Ireland assembly have

Health, education, justice (subject to power sharing agreement)

How has devolution impacted the uk constitution

Wakened the unitary state and created constitutional asymmetry

What arguments support extending devolution in England

Reduces regional inequality and increases democratic participation

What arguments oppose further devolution

Can weaken uk unity and undermine parliamentary sovereignty

What does it mean to entrench a constitution

Make it alder to change, often requiring special procedures or referendums

What arguments are for a codified constitution

Greater clarity, stronger rights protection, limits executive power

What are arguments against codification

Loss of flexibility and transfer of power to judges