4. Separation of Powers

What is the executive?

The branch of government that runs the country and implements laws.

What is the legislature?

Parliament, which is responsible for making and passing laws.

What is the judiciary?

The courts that interpret and apply laws independently.

What happened in R (Miller) v Government (2017)?

The Supreme Court ruled that Parliament had to approve triggering Article 50 to leave the EU.

How does separation of powers prevent abuse of power?

It divides authority between branches so no single institution becomes too powerful.

Why is separation of powers important for democracy?

It ensures checks and balances so government actions are scrutinised and limited.

How does separation of powers protect the rule of law?

It keeps courts independent so laws are applied fairly without political influence.

What is an advantage of separation of powers?

It protects democracy by preventing concentration of power in one branch.

What is a disadvantage of separation of powers in the UK?

The system is not fully separated, so there is some overlap between branches (e.g. ministers in Parliament).