PUBLIC LAW L4 - Constitutions & Conventions - CONSTITUTION OF THE UK INTRO & HISTORY Flashcards
Define the constitution of the UK (1)
The UK is a constitutional monarchy and has consisted of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland since 1992.
What acts unified the Kingdom of Great Britain and with the Kingdom of Ireland? (2)
Acts of Union 1800, before the two kingdoms were in personal union.
What does personal union mean? (1)
To have the same monarch but different / distinct boundaries, laws and interests.
What is a constitution? (1)
A code of rules regulating the relationship between citizens and the agencies of the state.
What is meant by ‘separation of powers’? (3)
A system of checks which prevent a single organisation of state becoming too powerful, it is underpinned by system of rules / laws which apply to everyone equally - even the most powerful.
What is the Magna Carta 1215 often referred to as? (2)
The first and fundamental constitutional document of the country, which tried to establish that the monarch was not above the law.
What was the Bills of Rights? (3)
In 1689 following the so-called Glorious Revolution of 1688 is seen as establishing the concept of parliamentary sovereignty and is still referred to today as a key source of constitutional law, it meant that the monarch was not able to overrule an Act of Parliament again.
Whose name are the activities of government carried out in? (2)
In the name of the monarch, the monarch itself is largely symbolic.
What are some of the monarch’s remaining powers? (3)
Appointing the prime minister, dissolving Parliament in some circumstances and giving ‘royal assent’ to Acts of Parliament.
What is the executive also referred to as? (2)
The Crown and His Majestys’ Government.
Who has prerogative powers? (1)
The monarch but these are effectively exercised now by the Prime Minister.
What are some of the remaining prerogative powers? (6)
Summon and prorogue Parliament.
Give pardons.
Issue passports.
Mobilise the armed forces.
Declare war.
Negotiate treaties.
Can the monarch create or change law? (1)
No.
