Government and Politics of the UK - examples and case studies

3 examples of conventions (sources of the UK constitution 1)

1. Salisbury convention = HoL does not block legislation from government’s manifesto e.g. the Con. dominated Lords didn’t block Atlee govt. from creating the NHS (1945)
   

2. Collective ministerial responsibility = all government ministers publicly support policy e.g. Anneliese Dobbs (international development minister) resigned over cuts to international aid (2025)
   

3. Appointment of the PM = the monarch asks the leader of the party with a majority to form a government e.g. Q. Elizabeth II asked Liz Truss to form a govt. after she won leadership elec. (2022)

Not legally binding but politically binding and facilitate smooth running of government

3 examples of Statute Law (sources of the UK constitution 2)

1. Human Rights Act (1998) incorporated ECHR into UK law

2. Equality Act (2010) protected certain characteristics

3. Fixed Term Parliaments Act (2011; repealed 2022) removed the PM’s prerogative power to call early elections without parliament

Often define rights and are central to the political system, supersedes common law, but can be overturned by governments due to uncodified constitution

3 examples of Works of Authority (sources of the UK constitution 3)

1. A.V. Dicey’s Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution inc. twin pillars and identified some conventions (e.g. monarch must give royal assent)

2. Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice inc. key rulings by the speaker and is regularly referred to (March 2019 Bercow cited 1604 convention to prevent May bringing back her Brexit deal for a third time)

3. The Cabinet Manual (2010) created at the start of the coalition and inc. ministerial conduct

Crucial in shaping constitutional understanding, particularly in cases of dispute, but other sources (e.g. statute law) take precedence; a guideline

3 examples of the modernisation of political institutions

1. House of Lords Act 1999 - removed all but 92 hereditary peers and allowed for the introduction of nominated life peers

2. Constitutional Reform Act 2005 - created a separate Supreme Court and removed law lords

3. House of Lords Reform Act 2014 - gave existing peers the right to resign and enabled the removal of peers for non-attendance or serious crime

   • March 2025:

     • 195 peers resigned

     • 16 removed for non-attendance

3 examples of greater democracy

1. Scotland and Wales Acts 1997 - allowed referendums to held in S and W over the creation of devolved assemblies. yes in both cases

2. Greater London Authority Act 1999 -

3. Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 -