Parliamentary Sovereignty Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is the definition of sovereignty?
Supreme power or authority.
Sovereignty can be understood in both legal and political contexts.
What is legal sovereignty?
The legal right to exercise sovereignty; sovereignty in theory.
It is defined in law and belongs to the entity with unlimited legal authority.
What is political sovereignty?
The political ability to exercise sovereignty; sovereignty in practice.
It is derived from the electorate who delegate political authority to representatives.
Who formerly held legal sovereignty in the UK?
The monarch.
Legal sovereignty now belongs to Parliament.
What is the highest legal authority in the UK?
Parliament.
Parliament can legislate on anything and cannot bind future parliaments.
How does Parliament derive its authority?
From the people through elections.
When citizens elect MPs, they delegate political authority.
Name three places where sovereignty can lie besides Parliament.
- The executive
- The devolved bodies
- Judges
Sovereignty can also be exercised through referendums.
What gives the executive dominance over Parliament?
Large majority, whipping, patronage, and control of the legislative timetable.
The Parliament Act also enables the dominance of the Lords.
True or False: Parliament is subordinate to any other body.
False.
Parliament is not subordinate to any other body but is increasingly subordinate to the government.
What power does Parliament have regarding devolved bodies?
The right to abolish devolved bodies.
However, realistically it cannot abolish the Scottish Parliament due to public backlash.
What significant event demonstrated Parliament’s ability to revoke sovereignty from international organisations?
Brexit.
The UK left the EU, taking back the sovereignty it had previously granted.
Fill in the blank: Parliamentary sovereignty allows it to take back powers given to _______.
[international organisations].
What act granted devolution to Scotland?
The Scotland Act of 1998.
This act allowed Scotland to have its own parliament and some tax varying powers.
What is the conclusion regarding sovereignty in the UK as discussed?
Sovereignty lies with Parliament.
Parliament has full legal authority, the right to revoke powers from international organisations, and the right to abolish devolved parliaments.
