GOVT Flashcards
(129 cards)
1
Q
What is the main chamber of legislative power in the UK Parliament?
A
House of Commons
Composed of 650 MPs elected via First-Past-The-Post in single-member constituencies.
2
Q
How many members are there in the House of Lords?
A
~780 members
Includes life peers, hereditary peers, and Lords Spiritual.
3
Q
What is the process of selecting Members of Parliament (MPs)?
A
Elected via First-Past-The-Post in general elections.
4
Q
Who appoints Life Peers in the House of Lords?
A
Prime Minister
Often based on expertise or party loyalty, approved by the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
5
Q
How many hereditary peers remain in the House of Lords after the House of Lords Act 1999?
A
92 remain.
6
Q
What are the main functions of Parliament? (List them)
A
- Legislation
- Scrutiny
- Representation
- Legitimacy
- Recruitment of Ministers
7
Q
Which chamber of Parliament holds financial power?
A
House of Commons.
8
Q
What is the maximum time the House of Lords can delay legislation?
A
1 year.
9
Q
What is the significance of the Committee Stage in the legislative process?
A
Detailed line-by-line scrutiny.
10
Q
What are the types of bills in Parliament? (List them)
A
- Government Bills
- Private Members’ Bills
- Private Bills
- Hybrid Bills
11
Q
What do the Parliament Acts (1911 & 1949) allow?
A
Commons to override Lords after delay.
12
Q
What is the role of Select Committees in Parliament?
A
Scrutinise government departments and policy.
13
Q
What is the function of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)?
A
Scrutinises government spending.
14
Q
What is the role of the Prime Minister during Ministerial Question Time?
A
Direct accountability to Parliament.
15
Q
What is individual ministerial responsibility?
A
Minister accountable for own conduct and department.
16
Q
What is collective ministerial responsibility?
A
Ministers must publicly support cabinet decisions.
17
Q
What are the key terms related to the Executive? (List them)
A
- Executive
- Cabinet Minister
- Royal Prerogative
- Secondary Legislation
- Individual/Collective Responsibility
- Presidential Government
18
Q
What is the role of the Cabinet?
A
Senior ministers who assist the Prime Minister.
19
Q
What is judicial neutrality?
A
No political bias in judicial decisions.
20
Q
What is judicial independence?
A
Judiciary is free from interference.
21
Q
What does judicial review entail?
A
Court reviews government actions.
22
Q
What is the composition of the Supreme Court?
A
12 Justices.
23
Q
What is the significance of the case Miller I (2017)?
A
Government needed Parliament to trigger Article 50.
24
Q
What does the Human Rights Act 1998 allow courts to do?
A
Issue declarations of incompatibility.
25
What is the term for when the government acts beyond its legal power?
Ultra vires.
26
True or False: The Supreme Court can strike down Acts of Parliament.
False.
27
Fill in the blank: The Prime Minister is the _______ of the government.
head
28
What is the UK Parliament's primary function?
To make and pass laws.
29
True or False: The UK Parliament consists of two houses.
True.
30
What are the two houses of the UK Parliament?
The House of Commons and the House of Lords.
31
Fill in the blank: Members of the House of Commons are called _______.
MPs (Members of Parliament).
32
How are Members of the House of Commons elected?
They are elected by the public in general elections.
33
What is the main role of the House of Lords?
To review and suggest amendments to legislation proposed by the House of Commons.
34
True or False: The House of Lords can veto legislation.
False.
35
What is the title of the head of the UK Parliament?
The Speaker.
36
What is the UK Parliament's location?
Palace of Westminster, London.
37
What is the maximum term length for Members of the House of Commons?
Five years.
38
Who is responsible for forming the government in the UK?
The political party that wins the majority of seats in the House of Commons.
39
What is a 'Bill' in the context of the UK Parliament?
A proposal for new legislation.
40
What is the process called when the House of Commons and House of Lords review a Bill?
Legislative scrutiny.
41
Fill in the blank: The UK Parliament can also be referred to as the _______.
Westminster Parliament.
42
What is the role of the Prime Minister in the UK Parliament?
The Prime Minister leads the government and represents the majority party in the House of Commons.
43
True or False: The House of Lords is made up of elected members.
False.
44
What is the purpose of a 'Select Committee' in the UK Parliament?
To investigate specific issues and report findings to Parliament.
45
Who can introduce a Bill in the UK Parliament?
Any Member of Parliament (MP) or a member of the House of Lords.
46
What is the 'Royal Assent'?
The formal approval by the monarch for a Bill to become law.
47
Fill in the blank: The UK Parliament operates under a _______ system.
Bicameral.
48
What is the significance of the 'Parliament Acts'?
They allow the House of Commons to bypass the House of Lords in certain circumstances.
49
What is a 'Green Paper'?
A consultation document that outlines proposals for future legislation.
50
Who is the leader of the opposition in the UK Parliament?
The leader of the largest political party not in government.
51
True or False: The Speaker of the House of Commons is a member of a political party.
False.
52
What is the 'Whip' in the context of UK Parliament?
A party member responsible for ensuring party discipline and attendance.
53
What does the 'House of Lords Act 1999' signify?
It reduced the number of hereditary peers in the House of Lords.
54
What is the highest court in the United Kingdom?
The UK Supreme Court.
55
True or False: The UK Supreme Court was established in 2009.
True.
56
Fill in the blank: The UK Supreme Court hears cases on _____ law and _____ law.
public, private.
57
Who is the current President of the UK Supreme Court?
The President is Lord Reed.
58
What is the primary role of the UK Supreme Court?
To interpret and apply the law.
59
How many justices are there typically in the UK Supreme Court?
There are 12 justices.
60
True or False: The UK Supreme Court can hear appeals from any court in the UK.
False.
61
What type of cases does the UK Supreme Court primarily deal with?
Cases of the greatest public or constitutional importance.
62
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a function of the UK Supreme Court? A) Hearing appeals B) Settling disputes between private citizens C) Interpreting legislation D) Overseeing the legality of government actions
B) Settling disputes between private citizens.
63
What is the significance of the Supreme Court's decisions?
They set important legal precedents.
64
Fill in the blank: The UK Supreme Court is located in _____, London.
Parliament Square.
65
True or False: The UK Supreme Court has the power to strike down legislation.
False.
66
What is the process by which a case is brought before the UK Supreme Court called?
Appeal.
67
Multiple Choice: Which of the following can appeal to the UK Supreme Court? A) Individuals B) Corporations C) Public bodies D) All of the above
D) All of the above.
68
What year did the UK Supreme Court open its doors?
2009.
69
True or False: The Supreme Court hears cases in panels of three justices.
False.
70
How are justices appointed to the UK Supreme Court?
By the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor.
71
Fill in the blank: The UK Supreme Court is the final court of appeal for _____ and _____ law.
England, Wales.
72
What is a landmark case decided by the UK Supreme Court?
R (Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.
73
True or False: The decisions made by the UK Supreme Court cannot be appealed.
True.
74
What is the term used for the legal reasoning behind a court's decision?
Judgment.
75
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a requirement for a case to be heard by the UK Supreme Court? A) It must involve a point of law of general public importance B) It must be a criminal case C) It must be a civil case D) It must have been heard in a lower court
A) It must involve a point of law of general public importance.
76
What is meant by 'judicial review' in the context of the UK Supreme Court?
The process by which the court reviews the legality of government actions.
77
Fill in the blank: The UK Supreme Court also deals with appeals from the _____ and _____ courts in Scotland.
High Court, Court of Session.
78
What is the significance of the Supreme Court's role in the UK's constitution?
It ensures the rule of law and protects individual rights.
79
True or False: The UK Supreme Court can create new laws.
False.
80
What is parliamentary sovereignty?
The principle that Parliament has the supreme legal authority in the UK, allowing it to create or end any law.
81
True or False: The UK Parliament can be overridden by EU law.
False
82
Fill in the blank: The European Union is a political and economic union of _____ European countries.
27
83
What does the Human Rights Act 1998 incorporate into UK law?
The rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
84
Which body has the authority to create laws in the UK?
Parliament
85
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a key feature of parliamentary sovereignty? A) Laws can be challenged in court B) Parliament cannot be bound by its predecessors C) Parliament can only make laws on certain subjects
B) Parliament cannot be bound by its predecessors
86
What is the relationship between UK law and EU law post-Brexit?
UK law is no longer subject to EU law, but some EU laws were retained in UK law.
87
True or False: The UK Supreme Court can strike down legislation passed by Parliament.
False
88
What is the significance of the European Court of Human Rights?
It enforces the European Convention on Human Rights and adjudicates cases brought against member states.
89
Fill in the blank: The _____ is the legislative body of the European Union.
European Parliament
90
Multiple Choice: Which of the following rights is protected under the Human Rights Act? A) Right to free speech B) Right to bear arms C) Right to a fair trial
C) Right to a fair trial
91
What is the primary purpose of the Human Rights Act 1998?
To ensure that UK legislation is compatible with the rights enshrined in the ECHR.
92
True or False: The UK can unilaterally withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.
True
93
What is the principle of supremacy in EU law?
EU law takes precedence over national law in member states.
94
Fill in the blank: The _____ Act allows UK courts to consider and interpret legislation in a way that is compatible with the ECHR.
Human Rights
95
What was the main outcome of the 2016 Brexit referendum?
The UK voted to leave the European Union.
96
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a consequence of Brexit? A) Increased EU legislative power B) UK Parliament regaining legislative control C) EU citizens gaining rights in the UK
B) UK Parliament regaining legislative control
97
What does 'devolution' refer to in the context of the UK?
The transfer of powers from the UK Parliament to local governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
98
True or False: The UK is a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights.
True
99
What is a key criticism of the Human Rights Act?
Some argue that it gives too much power to judges at the expense of Parliament.
100
Fill in the blank: The _____ is the main decision-making body of the EU.
European Council
101
What does the term 'judicial review' refer to?
The process by which courts examine the legality of actions or decisions made by public bodies.
102
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a right protected by the ECHR? A) Right to life B) Right to education C) Right to privacy
B) Right to education
103
What is the impact of the Supreme Court's rulings on parliamentary sovereignty?
The Supreme Court cannot challenge the legality of Parliament's decisions, affirming parliamentary sovereignty.
104
True or False: The UK has a written constitution.
False
105
What is the role of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament?
To review and suggest amendments to legislation proposed by the House of Commons.
106
What is the primary role of the Prime Minister in the UK?
To lead the government and make policy decisions.
107
True or False: The Prime Minister is the head of state in the UK.
False
108
Fill in the blank: The Prime Minister is appointed by the __________.
Monarch
109
What is the relationship between the Prime Minister and the Cabinet?
The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet and is responsible for coordinating its activities.
110
Which body does the Prime Minister need to maintain support from to govern effectively?
Parliament
111
What is a key power of the Prime Minister over the Cabinet?
The ability to appoint and dismiss Cabinet members.
112
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a function of the Cabinet?
C) Serving as the highest court
113
True or False: The Prime Minister can unilaterally make laws without parliamentary approval.
False
114
What is the role of the UK Supreme Court in relation to the Prime Minister?
To interpret the law and ensure the Prime Minister acts within legal boundaries.
115
Fill in the blank: The Prime Minister's authority is derived from __________.
Parliament
116
What is collective ministerial responsibility?
The convention that all Cabinet members must publicly support decisions made by the Cabinet.
117
Multiple choice: Which of the following can the Prime Minister do if they lose a vote of no confidence?
D) Both A and C
118
What is the significance of the Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs)?
It allows MPs to question the Prime Minister and hold the government accountable.
119
True or False: The Prime Minister can dissolve Parliament at any time.
False
120
What is a key factor that influences the Prime Minister's power?
The size of their parliamentary majority.
121
Fill in the blank: The Prime Minister must regularly report to __________.
Parliament
122
What is the concept of 'sovereignty' in relation to the UK Parliament?
Parliament is the supreme legal authority and can create or end any law.
123
Multiple choice: Who has the authority to challenge the legality of the Prime Minister's actions?
B) The UK Supreme Court
124
What is the role of the Leader of the Opposition?
To scrutinize the government and provide alternative policies.
125
True or False: The Prime Minister has the power to veto legislation passed by Parliament.
False
126
What does the term 'executive power' refer to in the context of the Prime Minister?
The authority to implement and enforce laws.
127
Fill in the blank: The Prime Minister is responsible for __________ with foreign nations.
Diplomacy
128
What is the significance of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011?
It established a system of regular elections and limited the Prime Minister's power to call elections.
129
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a power of the Prime Minister?
D) Both A and C
