Politics - UK Constitution

What was the first document to put into writing the principle that the king/queen and the government was not above the law?

Magna Carta (1215)

What document was held to be the people’s statement of rights against an oppressive ruler?

Magna Carta (1215)

What document declared that kings/queens had to consult parliament about imposing taxes?

Magna Carta (1215)

What document placed limits of royal authority by establishing law as a power in itself?

Magna Carta (1215)

What was the Magna Carta initially?

A piece of propaganda justifying the rebel (Barons) cause and the dissatisfaction with the king and gov

What rights were implied in the Magna Carta?

Fair trail, the presumption of innocence and equality before the law

Which document established dominance of parliament over the monarchy?

Bill of Rights (1689)

What document’s aim was to establish a secure and Protestant succession to the English and Irish throne?

Act of Settlement (1701)

What document strengthened authority of parliament and limited powers of the monarch?

Act of Settlement (1701)

What document helped shape the constitutional monarchy and established principles of religious tolerance?

Act of Settlement (1701)

What document caused a rise in Irish nationalism?

Act of Union (1800)

What document caused Ireland and great Britain to form the parliament of the UK?

Act of Union (1800)

What document prevented England and Scotland from having a separate monarch?

Act of Union (1707)

What document was a political agreement between England and Scotland?

Act of Union (1707)

Why was the Act of Union created?

Because Queen Anne of Scotland had no heir

What caused the civil war?

Because Charles 1 believed in divine right of kings and wanted MPs to do what he said

What document removed the right of the House of Lords to veto money bills?

Parliament Act (1911)

What document created institutions for home rule in Ireland with 2 self governing policies?

Act of Union (1921)

What act was created by Clemant Atlee’s labour government?

Parliament Act (1949)

What act was passed by the House of Commons in 1947 but didn’t receive royal assent til 1949?

Parliament Act (1949)

What industries did the 1949 Parliament act nationalise?

Iron and Steel

What act brought the UK into the EU?

European communities act 1972

What was the purpose of the European communities act 1972?

To secure parliamentary approval for treaty of accession

What act came into action after 300 hours of debate?

European communities act 1972

What act provided new constitutional framework which retained EU law?

2018 EU withdrawal act

What is common law?

Laws/rights passed down over years

What law can common law be changed by?

Statute law

What are authoritative works?

A unclear variety of books and documents

What documents and books make up authoritative works?

Walter Bagehot (1867), A.V dicey (1885), Erskine May (1844)

What principles were set out by A.V dicey?

Twin pillars (house of commons and lords), parliamentary sovereignty

What principles were set up by Erskine May?

The bible of parliamentary procedure

What are conventions?

Unwritten rules in parliament that facilitate the smooth running of the constitution

What issues can happen when conventions aren’t followed?

Leads to problems and deadlock

Example of royal prerogative?

Boris asking the queen to suspend parliament

What power used to be the monarchs but is now the PM’s?

Calling a general election

How is the constitution outdated?

The royal prerogative dates back to medieval times

Disadvantages of an uncodified constitution?

Problems with clarity and interpretation

What does the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty say?

Legislature holds supreme authority in political system

What can parliament legislate on?

Any subject of its choosing

What does the rule of law define?

The relationship between the state and its citizens ensuring that state action is limited and responsible

What are the 3 main strands of the rule of law?

No one can be punished without trail, no one above the law, general principles

what are government ministers accountable to?

Politically accountable to Parliament and legally accountable to the crown

Example of a convention?

Salisbury-Addison convention of 1945

What was the Salisbury-Addison convention of 1945 about?

The establishment of the NHS

When was the last time royal assent wasn’t given?

In 1707 when Queen Anne didn’t sign the Scottish Militia Bill

What is an authoritative work that was produced in 2010?

The cabinet manual

What document contains rules/procedures under which the government operates?

The cabinet manual

Who are the government accountable to?

Parliament and the electorate

Negative of an uncodified constitution?

Rights of citizens poorly defined and not entrenched making it hard for citizens to engage with the system

What act removed all but 92 hereditary peers and made more nominated?

House of Lords Act 1999

What act created a separate Supreme Court introducing more judicial independence and separation of powers?

Constitutional Reform Act 2005

What bill got abandoned in 2012 that would’ve made 80% of lords elected?

House of Lords Reform Bill 2012

What acts increased democracy?

Greater London authority act 1999, European parliamentary elections act 1999

What act allowed direct election of police and crime commissioners?

Police reform and social responsibility act 2011

What act required the PM to have 2/3 support of MP’s to call an early general election?

2011 fixed term parliaments act

What % of voters were against changing the voting system in the 2011 referendum?

68%

What act allowed people to gain greater access to information held by public bodies e.g. local and National governments?

Freedom of information act 2000

What act helped to combat discrimination and promote a fairer society?

Equality act 2010

What act enhanced scruntity of security services?

Protection of freedoms act 2012

What act placed strict controls on handling of personal data by government?

Data protection act 2018

What act allowed Scotland to set up its own devolved body?

Scotland act 1998

What is a fushion of powers?

No separation of powers as leader is accountable to legislature

Thanks to the freedom of information act 2000 what request was made to the BBC in 2019?

For local councils to reveal how many people were sleeping rough in 2019

What proportion of the electorate voted to retain Middlesbroughs elected mayor in 2013?

15%

In wales in 1997 what proportion voted to expand law making powers?

50.3%

In wales in 2011 what proportion voted to expand law making powers?

63.5%

What is the Westminster model?

A form of government where there is a fushion of power between the executive and the legislature

What has the wider use of referendums allowed?

The public to take decision making authority away from parliament

What year had the lowest voter turnout since 1918 at what percent?

2001 with 59%

Collective rights definition?

Rights with a group of people e.g. disabled people

Cornerstone definition?

Would collapse without it