UK politics

UK CONSTITUTION FLASHCARDS

Card 1 — What is devolution?

Q: What is devolution?

A:

The transfer of power from central government in Westminster to regional bodies such as:

  • Scottish Parliament

  • Welsh Senedd

  • Northern Ireland Assembly

  • Metro mayors in England

Example:

  • Scotland Acts 2012 & 2016 gave tax and welfare powers.

Card 2 — Has devolution been successful? (Scotland)

Q: Arguments that devolution has been successful in Scotland?

A:

Success:

  • Scottish Parliament created after 1997 referendum.

  • Significant tax powers (income tax variation, VAT share).

  • Welfare powers → different policies for Scottish needs.

  • High participation (2014 independence referendum 85% turnout).

  • Voting age lowered to 16.

Failure:

  • Reserved powers limit autonomy (e.g. UK blocked Gender Recognition Act).

  • Independence tensions increased.

  • SNP dominance concerns.

  • UK Supreme Court blocked second referendum.

Card 3 — Has devolution worked in Wales?

Q: Successes and failures of Welsh devolution?

A:

Success:

  • Increasing powers through Wales Acts.

  • Control over NHS and education.

  • Promotes Welsh culture and bilingualism.

  • Popular Covid policies.

Failure:

  • Low turnout (47% Senedd election 2021).

  • Limited powers (no policing control).

  • Labour dominance criticism.

  • Scandals (Vaughan Gething resignation).

Card 4 — Has devolution worked in Northern Ireland?

Q: Successes and failures of Northern Ireland devolution?

A:

Success:

  • Good Friday Agreement reduced violence.

  • Power-sharing between DUP and Sinn Féin.

  • STV ensures representation.

  • Windsor Framework helped restore institutions (2024).

Failure:

  • Government collapses (2017–2020).

  • Brexit tensions (NI Protocol).

  • UK intervention budgets.

Card 5 — Has devolution worked in England?

Q: Successes and failures of English devolution?

A:

Success:

  • Metro mayors respond to local issues (Andy Burnham Covid challenge).

  • Policies like congestion charge and ULEZ.

  • Tailored local solutions.

Failure:

  • Limited powers and funding.

  • Low turnout (Liverpool mayor 24%).

  • West Lothian Question unresolved.

  • Asymmetrical devolution.

Card 6 — Has devolution enhanced democracy?

Q: How has devolution enhanced democracy?

A:

Enhanced:

  • Local decision-making closer to people.

  • Proportional electoral systems (AMS/STV).

  • Extension of rights (votes at 16).

  • More representatives.

Not enhanced:

  • Uneven rights across UK.

  • Low turnout in some regions.

  • Westminster still dominant.

  • English resentment (Barnett formula).

Card 7 — Constitutional reform since 1997 success criteria

Q: How do you judge constitutional reform success?

A:

Success if:

  • Power of central government reduced.

  • Rights protected.

  • Democracy strengthened.

  • Public engagement increased.

Card 8 — Human Rights Act 1998 evaluation

Q: Strengths and weaknesses of the Human Rights Act?

A:

Strengths:

  • Rights enforceable in UK courts.

  • Limits government power.

  • Accessible justice (elderly couple case Article 8).

  • Seen as “success” by 2021 review.

Weaknesses:

  • Not entrenched (can be repealed).

  • Judges accused of overreach.

  • Rwanda deportation controversy.

  • Advisory incompatibility statements only.

Card 9 — House of Lords reform evaluation

Q: Strengths and weaknesses of Lords reform?

A:

Strengths:

  • Removal of most hereditary peers.

  • More independent chamber.

  • Effective scrutiny (Policing Bill amendments).

Weaknesses:

  • Still unelected → legitimacy issues.

  • PM influence on appointments.

  • Limited power due to Parliament Acts.

Card 10 — Supreme Court evaluation

Q: Has the Supreme Court been effective?

A:

Strengths:

  • Independent from Parliament.

  • Challenged government (Miller cases, prorogation 2019).

  • Rwanda ruling 2023.

Weaknesses:

  • Cannot strike down laws.

  • Parliament sovereignty remains.

  • Government can override rulings (Safety of Rwanda Act).

🏛 PARLIAMENT FLASHCARDS

Card 11 — Legislative function effectiveness

Q: Does Parliament perform its legislative function effectively?

A:

Effective:

  • Government passes laws (fusion of powers).

  • High legislative output (Rwanda Act, Rail nationalisation).

  • Private Members’ Bills sometimes succeed.

Ineffective:

  • Executive dominance with majorities.

  • Whips limit independence.

  • Lords amendments often overturned.

  • Poor scrutiny (Public Order Act concerns).

Card 12 — Backbench influence

Q: How do backbench MPs influence legislation?

A:

Methods:

  • Private Members’ Bills.

  • Rebellions.

  • Committees.

  • Amendments.

Examples:

  • May Brexit defeats.

  • Covid restriction rebellions (2021).

Limits:

  • Fear of losing whip.

  • Low success rate of PMBs.

Card 13 — House of Lords legislative role

Q: How does the House of Lords improve legislation?

A:

Strengths:

  • Expertise and independence.

  • Frequent government defeats.

  • Detailed scrutiny.

Limits:

  • Salisbury Convention.

  • Parliament Acts.

  • Commons can override.

Card 14 — Representation function

Q: Does Parliament represent the people effectively?

A:

Strengths:

  • Increased diversity (41% female MPs 2024).

  • Ethnic minority representation rising.

  • Competitive elections reflect public opinion.

Weaknesses:

  • Lords unrepresentative (age, region, gender).

  • Private school dominance.

  • FPTP distorts votes.

👑 PRIME MINISTER & EXECUTIVE FLASHCARDS

Card 15 — PM power sources

Q: What powers does the Prime Minister have?

A:

  • Royal prerogative powers.

  • Cabinet appointments.

  • Party leadership.

  • Parliamentary majority control.

  • Media dominance.

  • Policy agenda control.

Card 16 — Constraints on the PM

Q: What limits PM power?

A:

  • Cabinet resistance.

  • Parliament rebellions.

  • Courts (Miller cases).

  • Party divisions.

  • Elections.

  • Media/public opinion.

Example:

  • Theresa May Brexit defeats.

  • Johnson prorogation blocked.

Card 17 — Has PM power increased?

Q: Has the Prime Minister become more powerful?

A:

Yes:

  • Media focus.

  • Personal mandates.

  • Patronage power.

  • Centralised decision-making.

No:

  • Increased scrutiny.

  • Party rebellions.

  • Courts intervention.

  • Short PM tenures (recent instability).

Card 18 — Cabinet power

Q: Is the Cabinet powerful?

A:

Strong:

  • Collective decision making.

  • Experienced ministers.

  • Policy coordination.

Weak:

  • PM dominance.

  • Bilateral meetings replacing Cabinet.

  • Presidential style leadership.

⚖ RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BRANCHES FLASHCARDS

Card 19 — Does the executive dominate Parliament?

Q: Does the executive dominate Parliament?

A:

Yes:

  • Fusion of powers.

  • Majority control.

  • Whips.

  • Legislative timetable control.

No:

  • Lords scrutiny.

  • Rebellions.

  • Committees.

  • Courts involvement.

Card 20 — Parliamentary sovereignty after Brexit

Q: Has Brexit restored parliamentary sovereignty?

A:

Yes:

  • EU law supremacy ended.

  • UK Parliament ultimate law-maker.

No:

  • Executive dominance remains.

  • International agreements still constrain.

  • Devolution tensions.

Card 21 — Are judges too powerful?

Q: Arguments judges are too powerful?

A:

Yes:

  • Judicial review expansion.

  • Political rulings (prorogation).

  • Human Rights Act influence.

No:

  • Cannot strike down laws.

  • Parliamentary sovereignty remains.

  • Government can legislate around rulings.

Card 22 — Is the Supreme Court independent?

Q: Is the UK Supreme Court independent and neutral?

A:

Yes:

  • Separate institution.

  • Appointment processes.

  • Willing to challenge government.

Concerns:

  • Political pressure.

  • Government attempts to limit powers.

  • Constitutional ambiguity.