UK Constitution

Question 1

What is a codified and uncodified constitution?

Answer 1

Codified - written in one place
Uncodified - several sources

Question 2

What is an entrenched and non-entrenched constitution?

Answer 2

Entrenched - special amendment procedure
Non-entrenched - same as normal laws

Question 3

What are the 5 key documents of the UK constitution and when were they created?

Answer 3

1. Magna Carta - 1215
2. Bill of Rights - 1689
3. Act of Settlement - 1701
4. Acts of Union - 1707
5. Parliament Acts - 1911, 1949

Question 4

What are the 4 sources of the UK constitution?

Answer 4

1. Statute law (overrides other laws)
2. Common law (laws of tradition)
3. Conventions (non-legal rules of conduct)
4. Works of authority (works of expert scholars)

Question 5

What is parliamentary sovereignty?

Answer 5

The principle that absolute, supreme, and unrestricted power lies with parliament

Question 6

What are the 3 main principles of the UK constitution?

Answer 6

1. Rule of law
2. Parliamentary government (fusion of powers)
3. Constitutional monarchy (symbolic monarchy)

Question 7

What are 3 strengths of the UK constitution?

Answer 7

1. Flexible (easily amended)
2. Powerful elected officials
3. Effective (strong) government

Question 8

What are 3 weaknesses of the UK constitution?

Answer 8

1. Unclear (many sources)
2. Concentrated power (lack of checks and balances)
3. Lack of protection form future governments

Question 9

What did the House of Lords Reform Act 1992 do?

Answer 9

Removed all but 92 hereditary peers from the House of Lords

Question 10

When were the devolved assemblies established?

Answer 10

Northern Ireland - 1998
Scotland - 1999
Wales - 1999

Question 11

Which law established fundamental human rights in law for the first time?

Answer 11

Human Rights Act 1998

Question 12

What did the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 do?

Answer 12

Created Supreme Court

Question 13

Which act limited the period between elections to 5 years and when was it signed?

Answer 13

Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011

Question 14

What was English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) and when was it established?

Answer 14

Only English MPs could vote on matters that affect only England
Established in 2016