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POLITICS > FARMBROUGH- UK POLITICS > Flashcards

FARMBROUGH- UK POLITICS Flashcards

1
Q

define constitution

A

a body of laws and practices which dictate how a country is governed

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2
Q

difference between codified and uncodified constitutions

A

codified- written in a single authoritative document

uncodified- written in multiple documents, most if not all without legal influence

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3
Q

what does the constitution do?

(Hint 3 things)

A

protects/promotes rights
upholds democracy
ensures a stable and effective gov

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4
Q

3 features of the UK constitution

A

uncodified (1 of 3 in the world)
unitary (union) state
easy to change

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5
Q

sources of the constitution

A

statute law
common law
authoritative works
conventions

(EU law)

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6
Q

what is the royal prerogative?

A

government’s ability to act on behalf of the monarchy

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7
Q

4 principles of the constitution

A

rule of law
parliamentary sovereignty
union state
constitutional monarchy

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8
Q

what happened in 1215?

A

magna carta

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9
Q

what is magna carta best described as?

A

the moment the people realised that the monarchy’s power could be limited

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10
Q

when did the bill of rights act happen?

A

1689

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11
Q

what was the “bill of rights” act?

A

-declaration of rights

royals couldn't have political influence amongst the people
limit monarchy
establish army
no cruel punishments
establish freedom of gov
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12
Q

what did the “act of settlement” (1701) do?

A

established the UK

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13
Q

how many parliament acts were there?

A

2

1911, 1949

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14
Q

what did each parliament act do?

A

established the house of commons as the dominant house of parliament

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15
Q

what reforms have been made since 1997?

A

democratisation
devolution
modernisation
human rights

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16
Q

evaluate human rights after reforms

A

HRA 1998 says to follow European conventions on human rights

supreme court has used to protect rights but parliament has last word
rise of identity politics
freedom of information act 2000
act of parliament take away all human rights

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17
Q

evaluate democratisation

A

mayors of major cities
referendums of further democracy rejected
lack of enthusiasm for electoral reform

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18
Q

evaluate devolution

A

scotland/wales have been successes
stopped scottish independence
n.ireland’s assembly was suspended in 2017

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19
Q

evaluate modernisation

A

HoL act 1999 means HoL is now appointed instead of hereditary peers (only 94 remain)
created supreme court
HoL remains unelected (+ is a little dodgy)
unelected judges have conventional powers against the elected parilament

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20
Q

quote Tony Blair in 1994

A

if elected [they] would deliver the biggest programme of change to democracy ever proposed

21
Q

what did the European communities act 1972 do?

A

confirmed the UK joining the EU

22
Q

what is a unitary state?

A

where power is centralised

23
Q

what is a union state?

A

where powers are spread, devolved

24
Q

what is rule of law?

A

ensure that no one is above the law

no one can be punished without fair trial

25
Q

define parliamentary sovereignty

A

parliament is the supreme ruling body

26
Q

give two examples regarding human rights

A
  • human rights act 1998

- freedom of information act 2000

27
Q

suggest areas for further reform

A
  • lowering voting age
  • compulsory vote
  • voting online
  • extended devolution
  • photo ID at voting booths
28
Q

how well does the british constitution protect rights?

A 
-well
values civil liberties
legal protection of minorities
-not well
brexit removing labour rights
HRA not entrenched
29
Q

what is a bicameral parliament?

A

parliament containing two chambers

30
Q

how many constituencies does the UK have?

A

650

31
Q

what are some features of the house of commons?

A
  • 650 MPs (who represent an average of 68000 voters)
  • nearly all MPs are in a political party
  • more powerful house
32
Q

what are some features of the house of lords?

A
  • consists almost entirely of unelected members
  • lacks power
  • contains: life peers, hereditary peers, lords spiritual and independents
33
Q

what’s the difference between life peers and hereditary peers?

A

life peers are nominated by political parties (and are there for life)
hereditary peers were chosen from a wider majority (700) after Blair’s reforms

34
Q

what are the four main functions of parliament?

A
  • legislative
  • representative
  • scrutiny
  • deliberative
35
Q

explain the legislative process

A
  • (someimes gov introduces a green/white paper)
  • first reading (bill read aloud)
  • second reading (debate on overall policies)
  • committee stage
  • report stage
  • third reading (final debate + vote)
  • sent to second house to repeat and make amendments
36
Q

explain a private member’s bill

A
  • bill proposed by an MP outside the gov/largest party

- three types: ballot bills, minute rule bills, presentation bills

37
Q

what are the three main theories of representation?

A
  • burkean theory (personal judgement)
  • delegate theory (mouthpieces for their constituents)
  • mandate theory (implement party policies)
38
Q

how does parliament hold the gov to account?

A
  • debates
  • PMQs
  • committees
39
Q

explain and evaluate debates

A
  • most dramatic method of scrutiny
  • MPs can say anything free from prosecution
  • most debates are won by gov (due to whips)
  • Westminster hall debates (response to petitions)
  • badly attended
  • HoL more effective, less thought on political career etc
40
Q

explain and evaluate PMQs

A
  • every Wednesday at 12pm, PM is questioned by Parliament
  • high profile
  • forces PM to address key issues
  • keeps PM accountable
  • makes parliament more theatrical
  • embarrassing
  • a game of insults and “banter”
41
Q

what are the three types of committes?

A

public bill
select
lords

42
Q

evaluate public bill committees

A
  • always has a gov majority (may be bias)
  • scrutiny in greater detail
  • joint chair with opposition
  • call witnesses
  • membership is temp
  • .5% amendments accepted
43
Q

evaluate select committees

A
  • most important type
  • eg public accounts committee checks on how the gov spends money (chaired by opposition)
  • members are long-term
  • high profile
  • secret ballot
  • party loyalty
  • vague answers to qs
  • gov still a majority
  • call witnesses
  • thorough investigation
44
Q

evaluate lords committees

A
  • least significant
  • used for longer, detailed investigations
  • members often have political bias
45
Q

how effective is gov scrutiny?

A

-well
growing rebellion of MPs leads to more honest discussions
diverse methods

-not well
pmqs are an excuse to mock instead of question
unstable parliament

46
Q

who is the current chancellor of the Exchequer?

A

Rishi Sunak

47
Q

who is Elizabeth Truss?

A

Foreign secretary and minister for women and equalities

48
Q

who is Priti Patel?

A 
THE DEVIL
.
.
.
and Home secretary
49
Q

who is the current secretary for education?

A

Nadhim Zahawi

POLITICS (8 decks)

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