Historical Development of UK Constitution

What is the Magna Carta (1215)?

Principle that no one should be deprived of liberty and property without the due process of law

Why is the Magna Carta (1215) significant?

Later set out the rule of law and limits on executive power

What is the Bill of Rights (1689)?

Provisions of regular parliaments, free elections and freedom of speech within parliament

Why is the Bill of Rights (1689) significant?

Shifted power away from the monarch and towards Parliamentary sovereignty

Why is the Act of Settlement 1701 significant?

It established rules for the succession to the throne and strengthened the principle of judicial independence.

What are the Parliament Acts (1911 & 1949)?

• House of Lords cannot delay money bills and had a 2 year delaying power for other bills

• 1949 Act reduced the delaying power a year

• Lords no longer had veto power

Why are the Parliament Acts (1911 & 1949) significant?

Increased Commons power over the Lords and demonstrated the importance of the elected chamber

What is the European Communities Act (1972)?

• Act confirmed UK’s entrance into European Economic Community (EEC) and later EU.

• EU law would take precedence over UK law in conflict

Why is the European Communities Act (1972) significant?

Created a significant limitation on parliamentary sovereignty

What is the 2020 EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement?

Following the 2016 Brexit referendum, the act removed the UK from EU

Why is the 2020 EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement significant?

Demonstrated the restoration of parliaments legislative autonomy

How has the UK Constitution developed over time?

Power has generally shifted away from the monarch and towards Parliament, while later developments such as EU membership, devolution and human rights legislation have changed the balance of constitutional power.