Uk Constitution

Question 1

What is meant by a codified constitution?

Answer 1

A single written document that contains the fundamental laws and rules of a political system.

Question 2

What is an uncodified constitution?

Answer 2

A constitution not contained in one single document, but formed from various sources.

Question 3

Define a statute law and give an example.

Answer 3

A law passed by Parliament, e.g., the Human Rights Act 1998.

Question 4

What is common law in the UK?

Answer 4

Laws developed by judges through court decisions.

Question 5

What are constitutional conventions? Name one example.

Answer 5

Unwritten rules guiding political practice, e.g., the PM is the leader of the largest party.

Question 6

What is meant by ‘authoritative works’? Name one example.

Answer 6

Legal writings used for constitutional interpretation, e.g., A.V. Dicey’s work.

Question 7

What is the royal prerogative?

Answer 7

Historic powers of the Crown now exercised by ministers, e.g., declaring war.

Question 8

Define parliamentary sovereignty.

Answer 8

Parliament can make or unmake any law and cannot be overridden by any body.

Question 9

What is the rule of law?

Answer 9

Everyone is subject to the law and treated equally under it.

Question 10

What is the difference between individual and collective rights?

Answer 10

Individual rights protect personal freedoms; collective rights protect groups like unions.

Question 11

What was the significance of the Magna Carta (1215)?

Answer 11

Limited monarch’s power and affirmed the right to a fair trial.

Question 12

What did the Bill of Rights (1689) establish?

Answer 12

Parliamentary power over the monarchy and civil liberties.

Question 13

Why was the Act of Settlement (1701) important?

Answer 13

Established Protestant succession and judicial independence.

Question 14

What did the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 change?

Answer 14

Reduced House of Lords’ ability to delay legislation.

Question 15

What are the five main sources of the UK constitution?

Answer 15

Statute law, common law, conventions, authoritative works, and EU/retained law.

Question 16

Why are conventions the most flexible source?

Answer 16

They are not legally binding and evolve with political norms.

Question 17

Why is statute law the most authoritative source?

Answer 17

It is passed by Parliament and overrides other sources.

Question 18

Why is the UK constitution considered evolutionary?

Answer 18

It develops gradually through laws and reforms, not revolution.

Question 19

List one advantage of an uncodified constitution.

Answer 19

Flexibility and adaptability.

Question 20

List one disadvantage of an uncodified constitution.

Answer 20

Lack of clarity and legal certainty.

Question 21

Why is parliamentary sovereignty a key principle?

Answer 21

It means Parliament is the supreme legal authority.

Question 22

How has devolution challenged parliamentary sovereignty?

Answer 22

It transferred powers to devolved bodies like the Scottish Parliament.

Question 23

How does the rule of law limit government power?

Answer 23

By holding ministers accountable and allowing judicial review.

Question 24

What was A.V. Dicey’s contribution?

Answer 24

Highlighted rule of law and parliamentary sovereignty.

Question 25

What is a constitutional monarchy?

Answer 25

A monarchy with symbolic powers; real power lies with Parliament.

Question 26

What is the Human Rights Act (1998)?

Answer 26

Incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.

Question 27

How does the HRA limit parliamentary sovereignty?

Answer 27

Courts can issue declarations of incompatibility with Acts of Parliament.

Question 28

What does the Freedom of Information Act (2000) do?

Answer 28

Grants public access to information held by public authorities.

Question 29

Give an example of individual rights.

Answer 29

Freedom of speech, right to privacy.

Question 30

Give an example of collective rights.

Answer 30

Right to protest, trade union membership.

Question 31

What are criticisms of rights protection in the UK?

Answer 31

Not entrenched, can be changed by Parliament, lacks clarity.

Question 32

What is devolution?

Answer 32

Transfer of powers from central to regional governments.

Question 33

Name powers held by the Scottish Parliament.

Answer 33

Education, health, justice, transport, income tax rates.

Question 34

What did the House of Lords Act 1999 do?

Answer 34

Removed most hereditary peers.

Question 35

Why was the UK Supreme Court created in 2009?

Answer 35

To ensure full judicial independence.

Question 36

What did the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 change?

Answer 36

Set general elections every 5 years unless early election triggered.

Question 37

Why was the FTPA repealed in 2022?

Answer 37

To restore the PM’s power to call elections.

Question 38

What was the ruling in Miller I (2017)?

Answer 38

Parliament must approve triggering Article 50.

Question 39

What was the ruling in Miller II (2019)?

Answer 39

Prorogation of Parliament was unlawful.

Question 40

What does the Freedom of Information reform propose?

Answer 40

Restricting access due to cost and privacy.

Question 41

What is the British Bill of Rights proposal?

Answer 41

To replace the Human Rights Act with UK-specific protections.