The UK Parliament's fusion of powers / Parliamentary government

What is the relationship between the executive (gov) and Parliament?

They are overlapping and interlocking institutions.

What’s the executive in UK’s system?

The government - prime minister, cabinets, civil service, and gov departments.

What’s the legislature in UK’s system?

Parliament - house of lords/ commons

What’s the judiciary in UK’s system?

Supreme court

How are the executive and legislature interlinked?

Executive is derived from the legislature.

In return they are held accountable by parliament.

How is legislature and the electorate linked?

Through voting, parliament is given legitimacy in return they are accountable to the people.

Is the judiciary closely related to the other branches of the UK’s system?

No, as it’s an independent body - gov has no power over how they apply the law.

Courts hold the gov responsible through the rule of law.

What power does the judiciary have over the executive?

They can advise on whether a new law may contradict existing laws or international treaties.

But they cannot force a change, they can only apply the law, not make it.

What is the power of gov dependent on?

Why?

The size of the parliamentary majority.

A bill needs a majority vote to pass.

Why is the system of parliamentary government as well as sovereignty a potential issue?

The government has the power to make any law it likes, and as long as its MPs vote with the party, there’s not enough opposition to stop this.

Elective dictatorship - definition

The executive using sovereign power of parliament for its own ends.