Chapter 6 - 1/7 - Background (NOT FINAL) Flashcards

1
Q

What is the UK Parliament described as?

A

The ‘mother of parliaments’.

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2
Q

When did the first parliament meet?

A

1265

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3
Q

What was the first parliament called and where does it get this name?

A

The de Montfort Parliament, from the rebellious nobleman Simon de Montfort that called it.

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4
Q

What are the 3 features of parliamentary government?

A
  • The UK Parliament is the highest source of political authority.
  • There is a fusion of powers.
  • Government is accountable to Parliament.
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5
Q

What 4 things does parliamentary sovereignty mean?

A
  • Parliament is the source of all political power.
  • Parliament may restore to itself any powers that have been delegated to others.
  • Parliament is ‘omnicompetent’.
  • Parliament is not bound by its predecessors or successors.
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6
Q

Why can the UK not have an entrenched constitution?

A

The principle of parliamentary sovereignty means no Parliament can bind its successor and preventing them from changing laws - something entrenchment does.

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7
Q

What is political sovereignty?

A

It is where power lies in reality rather than in theory.

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8
Q

Where does political sovereignty lie?

A

With government as they usually have a majority, guaranteeing that its proposals will be passed by Parliament.

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9
Q

Where does political sovereignty lie during general elections?

A

With the people electing a new government.

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10
Q

What are meant by Parliament’s reserve powers?

A

Powers which exist to be used in unusual and extreme circumstances; in other words, they are ‘in reserve’.

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11
Q

What are the UK Parliament’s two key reserve powers?

A
  • Veto legislation.

- Dismiss a government it has lost confidence in.

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12
Q

Who is legally sovereign and who is politically sovereign?

A

Parliament and government/people respectively.

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13
Q

In what two ways did the EU erode parliamentary sovereignty?

A
  • EU law overrode UK law whenever it conflicted.

- The UK could not pass new conflicting laws.

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14
Q

How have referendums eroded parliamentary soverignty?

A

Parliament will not ignore the results of referendums so sovereignty during these votes returns to the people.

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15
Q

How has devolution eroded parliamentary sovereignty?

A

It is inconceivable that devolved powers will be returned Westminster; sovereignty has been transferred in reality but not legally.

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