Constitution-1-23

Question 1

What is a constitution?

Answer 1

A body of laws, rules and practices that sets out the way in which a state is organised.

Question 2

What are the twin pillars of the UK constitution?

Answer 2

• Parliamentary Sovereignty
• Rule of Law

Question 3

What does a constitution define?

Answer 3

The relationship between the government and the individual, and between different parts of the state.

Question 4

What is a bill of rights?

Answer 4

Legal protection for the rights of individuals provided by a constitution.

Question 5

What is meant by limited government?

Answer 5

A system of checks and balances to prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Question 6

What is a codified constitution?

Answer 6

A written constitution that clearly defines the powers of the different branches of government.

Question 7

What is an uncodified constitution?

Answer 7

A constitution with no single source, containing key ideas and principles from different sources.

Question 8

What is fundamental law?

Answer 8

Law that is above ordinary law, typically found in codified constitutions.

Question 9

What does it mean for a constitution to be entrenched?

Answer 9

Special procedures are needed to amend the constitution.

Question 10

What is the difference in flexibility between codified and uncodified constitutions?

Answer 10

Codified constitutions are seen as inflexible, while uncodified constitutions are seen as flexible.

Question 11

What does the UK constitution lack?

Answer 11

A clearly defined entrenched and superior fundamental law.

Question 12

What is statute law?

Answer 12

Law created by Parliament, requiring approval from both Houses and royal assent.

Question 13

Give an example of statute law of constitutional importance.

Answer 13

• Great Reform Act 1832
• Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949
• European Communities Act 1972

Question 14

What is common law?

Answer 14

Legal principles developed and applied by UK courts.

Question 15

What is the royal prerogative?

Answer 15

Powers traditionally exercised by the monarch, now exercised by government ministers.

Question 16

What are conventions in the context of the UK constitution?

Answer 16

Rules or norms of behaviour that are widely thought to be binding but are not legally enforceable.

Question 17

What is a work of authority?

Answer 17

Political texts or books that serve as a guide to constitutional law.

Question 18

Name a significant work of authority related to the UK constitution.

Answer 18

• Erskine May’s A Treatise on the Law of Parliament
• Walter Bagehot’s The English Constitution
• A.V. Dicey’s An Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution

Question 19

Fill in the blank: The UK constitution is seen as very _______.

Answer 19

flexible

Question 20

True or False: The US Constitution has been amended more than 100 times.

Answer 20

False

Question 21

What did the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011 establish?

Answer 21

Fixed, 5 yearly elections to the Westminster parliament.

Question 22

What is the significance of the 2nd amendment in the US?

Answer 22

It states that the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed.

Question 23

What is the role of the judiciary in relation to common law?

Answer 23

To clarify cases where law is unclear and establish precedents.

Question 24

What is the impact of parliamentary sovereignty on the UK constitution?

Answer 24

Parliament can enact or amend laws without constitutional constraints.

Question 25

What is an example of a constitutional statute law?

Answer 25

* Human Rights Act 1998 * Scotland Act 1998

Question 26

What did the Labour manifesto promise upon winning the election in 1997?

Answer 26

Widespread constitutional reform ## Footnote The key areas of reform included modernisation, greater democracy, devolution, and human rights.

Question 27

What were the four areas focused on in the constitutional reform under David Cameron?

Answer 27

* Modernisation of political institutions * Greater democracy in the political system * Establishment of devolved legislative bodies in the constituent countries of the UK * Human rights ## Footnote This reform was considered more modest compared to earlier efforts.

Question 28

Name one major constitutional change since 1997.

Answer 28

Adoption of the Human Rights Act ## Footnote Other changes can include the introduction of the FOI Act and devolution.

Question 29

What is one potential future reform for the UK constitution?

Answer 29

Lowering the voting age to 16 across the UK ## Footnote Other suggestions include making voting compulsory and reforming the voting system for Westminster elections.

Question 30

True or False: The UK constitution is entirely effective in defending individual rights.

Answer 30

False ## Footnote Critics argue that the lack of entrenched rights makes individual rights vulnerable to parliamentary changes.

Question 31

What is the role of the Equality Act 2010 in protecting rights in the UK?

Answer 31

Prevents discrimination and protects equality of pay, equal access to services, and employment rights ## Footnote This Act plays a significant role in upholding individual rights.

Question 32

Fill in the blank: The _______ protects human rights, including the right to privacy and freedom from torture.

Answer 32

Human Rights Act 1998 ## Footnote This Act is crucial for the protection of various human rights in the UK.

Question 33

What is one argument for the UK constitution protecting rights well?

Answer 33

The presence of an independent judiciary ## Footnote This independence is argued to help in the protection of individual rights.

Question 34

What is one argument against the UK constitution protecting rights well?

Answer 34

The lack of entrenched rights makes individual rights vulnerable to parliamentary whims ## Footnote Critics believe this undermines the security of rights.

Question 35

What are individual rights?

Answer 35

Rights such as the right to a fair trial or the right not to face discrimination ## Footnote These rights are fundamental to personal freedoms.

Question 36

What are collective rights?

Answer 36

Rights belonging to groups, such as religious groups or trade unions ## Footnote These rights often conflict with individual rights.

Question 37

Can you name a conflict that arises between individual and collective rights?

Answer 37

Disputes between the rights of a trade union and the individual rights of its members ## Footnote Such conflicts can lead to legal and social tensions.

Question 38

What is one argument for the codification of the UK constitution?

Answer 38

Provides a clear and accessible framework for rights and governance ## Footnote Codification could enhance the protection of rights.

Question 39

What is one argument against the codification of the UK constitution?

Answer 39

It could limit the flexibility of parliamentary sovereignty ## Footnote Opponents argue that a rigid constitution may hinder adaptability.