UK Politics: Key Constitutional Terms and Devolution Explained

Constitution

A Set of rules, outlining the Powers and responsibilities of the government and people.

Entrenched

Can't be changed.

Unentrenched

Something that is able to be changed.

Codified

It can't be changed and was formed at a specific time.

Uncodified

The constitution can be changed with a Vote.

Unitary

Ultimate Power lies in one Place, Such as the UK's Parliamentary System.

Federal

A System of government where Power is constitutionally divided between Central (Federal) government and regional (State) governments. Prominent in USA.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

Unlimited Political Power in Parliament.

The Rule of Law

Everyone is Subject to the law.

Statute Law

Refers to formal, Written laws passed by Parliament.

Common Law

Laws made by Judges.

Conventions

Something that has happened over time that has become a 'tradition.' An unwritten rule.

Authoritative works

Books written by Constitutional theorists.

Treaties

An agreement between two or More Countries.

Devolution

Transfer of Power From a government to regional/local administrations.

Magna Carta (1215)

An agreement made by the King which limited his Power.

Bill of Rights (1689)

Designed to control the Monarchy's Power and established civil and political liberties.

Act of Settlement (1701)

A law stating that only a Protestant could inherit the throne.

Parliament Acts (1911 and 1949)

Restricted the Power of the house of lords and removed their right to veto laws.

The European Communities Act (1972)

A law that Made Legal Provision for the UK's Membership in the European Economic community (EEC).

Human Rights Act (1998)

An act allowing you to defend your human rights in court.

House of Lords Act (1999)

Reduced the number of hereditary Peers to 92.

Constitutional Reform Act (2005)

UK Parliament act that was divided into three Parts.

Gina Miller case (2016)

Legal case where Gina Miller asked if the Power to invoke article 50 to start Brexit lay with the executive or Parliament.

The European (Notification of Withdrawal) Act (2017)

An act of Parliament that gave the PM the legal authority to formally notify the European Council of the UK's intention to withdraw from the EU.

Supreme Court

Highest judicial court in a country or State.

Coalition

Temporary alliance for a combined action.

Fixed Term Parliaments

Establish a set, five year cycle for general elections.

Scottish Parliament

Law making body in Scotland.

Welsh Assembly

Democratically elected body responsible for making laws in Wales.

Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive

Devolved legislature where 90 elected Members of the Legislative Assembly make laws on Local issues.

Asymmetric devolution

Sub-State governments have different Structures of Powers in UK.

Barnett Formula

A Mechanism used by the treasury in the UK to automatically adjust the amounts of public expenditure allocated to Northern Ireland.

City government

The administrative body within a Municipality that provides essential Public Services.

Freedom of Information

Provides Public access to information held by Public authorities.

Hereditary peers

Someone whose Peerage (noble title) is passed down through their family.

Referendum

A general vote on a Single Political question.

Quasi-federalism

A Mostly unitary state, but with a few federal-like features.

Judiciary

The System of courts that interprets, defends and applies the law in the name of the State.

House of Lords

One of two chambers of the UK Parliament (the other is the House of Commons). It's the upper chamber.

House of Commons

Another chamber of UK Parliament. Lower Chamber. Members are elected officials belonging to a Party.

Separation of powers

Splitting the government into three branches so nobody has all the Power.

West Lothian Question

Why Should Scottish / Welsh / NI MPs vote on English-only issues when English MPs can't vote on theirs?

English Votes for English Laws

A system in the UK Parliament designed to answer the West Lothian Question.

Regional Devolution

Transfer of Power from the government to regional areas, i.e., England, Scotland, Wales, NI, rather than Westminster governing everything.