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UK Constitution, 5 main sources of the UK constitution - Coggle Diagram
UK Constitution
Important Dates for our Constitution
1701
Act of Settlement
Uk wanted to rid of James II + Successors (Catholic religion too closely associated with tyrannic rule)
Parliament choose who's next to the throne
1707
Acts of Union
For England and Scotland to share a monarch and parliament
Basis of UK... till Tony Blair allowed devolved power by giving Scotland a government in 1997
1689
Bill of Rights
King James arbitary rule got him overthrow. William III took charge and affirmed the rights of parliament
Included provisions for:
Regular Parliaments
Free Elections
Freedom of speech within Parliament
1911
European Communities Act
Reduce power of HoL to prevent intervention with HoC
1911 act affirmed HoL couldn't delay money bills and could only delay non-financial bills for 2-years than being able to veto them.
1949 act reduced 2 years to 1
1251
Magna Carta
King John abused Power
So the Magna Carter enured that no one is allowed to be deprived of liberty/property without due process of law
1972
European Communities Act
Edward Health (Conservative gov) brought Britain into European Economic Committee
Carried on until the UK voted to leave in 2016 (under conservatives again)
Development
Not 1 big change
Evolved over time
US did go under 1 big change when separating from UK in 1787
Shift of Power (Crown to Parliament)
17th century civil war
Began shift of power to parliament
19th century
Governed by constitutional monarch... acts on advice from ministers
20th century
Middle and working class gain voting rights
Monopoly of power was dismantled
Nature of UK Constitution
Uncodified
No single legal co of document to define the key legislations
Foundations of our laws come from a number of sources, both written and unwritten
2010
Lib Dems created a collision with Conservatives as they wanted an AV referendum (2011)... there was a very small turnout as no one really cared
Untrenched
Easy to alter
More flexible than a written constitution
All laws are of equal status
Unitary
Unlitimate authority (sovereignty) traditionally located in London
1990 was the begining of devolution to spread the sovereignty out more equal
Twin Pillars of the UK Constitution
Paliament Sovereignty
No parliament can bind their successor
Parliament can amend acts passed by previous parliaments
Example
2003
Section 28 was repealed of the 1988 local government Act
Section 28 made it illegal for local authorities to promote homosexuality intentionally
Legislation passed by parliament is not able to be removed by a higher body... Therefore, the Supreme Court are not able to overturn any acts of parliament
Parliament have the power to create laws based on any subject
Example
Mid-1960's
Legalisation of abortion and homexuality
Rule of Law
Everyone gets a fair trial
No one should be imprisoned with-ought due legal process
Public officials aren't above the law
Judicary must be independent from the political system
Start of Constitution
13th century parliament created consisting of the 2 classic sections
House of Lords
Consisted of hereditary aristocracy and senior members of the church
House of Commons
Consisted of representatives of the landed gentry and prosperous merchants
Judicary System
17th Century
Parliament splits from the Judiciary system to ensure that no one is above the law
5 main sources of the UK constitution
Sature Law
Laws passed by parliament
1988 Scotland act - Devolved legislative bodies created by Wales and N.Ireland
Common Law
Laws made be judges where the Law doesn't cover the issue or is unclear
Conventions
Traditions not contained in law but influential in the operation of a political system
Authoritative works
Works written by experts describing how a political system is run, which are not legally binding but are taken as significant guides
Treaties (including EU law)
Formal agreements with other countries, usually ratified by parliament