the constitution Flashcards
What is the UK constitution primarily based on?
Common law and statutes
True or False: The UK constitution is codified in a single written document.
False
What is the key document that outlines the UK’s constitutional principles?
The Magna Carta
Which body is considered the highest authority in the UK constitution?
Parliament
What are the three main components of the UK constitution?
Statute law, common law, and conventions
What is the role of conventions in the UK constitution?
They are unwritten rules that guide the behavior of constitutional actors
Which document established the principle of parliamentary sovereignty in the UK?
The Bill of Rights 1689
What is the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty?
Parliament has the power to make or change any law
Which court has the authority to interpret the UK constitution?
The Supreme Court
What is the role of the monarchy in the UK constitution?
Ceremonial and symbolic
What is the purpose of the Human Rights Act 1998 in the UK constitution?
To incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law
True or False: The UK constitution is flexible and can be easily amended.
True
What is the role of the House of Lords in the UK constitution?
To act as a revising chamber for legislation
Which principle states that the government must be accountable to Parliament?
The principle of parliamentary accountability
What is the purpose of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 in the UK constitution?
To set a fixed five-year term for parliamentary elections
What is the significance of the Salisbury Convention in the UK constitution?
It states that the House of Lords will not oppose legislation promised in the government’s election manifesto
What is the role of the Prime Minister in the UK constitution?
To lead the government and make key decisions on policy and administration
What is the purpose of the Royal Prerogative in the UK constitution?
To grant the monarch certain powers and privileges
True or False: The UK constitution guarantees a separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
False
What is the key principle underlying the UK constitution?
Parliamentary sovereignty
What is the significance of the European Communities Act 1972 in the UK constitution?
It incorporated European Union law into UK domestic law
What is the role of devolution in the UK constitution?
To grant certain powers to regional governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Which document established the principle of habeas corpus in the UK?
The Habeas Corpus Act 1679
What is the purpose of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 in the UK constitution?
To establish the Supreme Court as the highest court in the UK
