The government of the UK Key Terms

Constitutional Convention

A non‑legally binding practice that is followed by political actors, such as the convention that the Prime Minister must be a member of the House of Commons.

Royal Prerogative

A set of powers historically exercised by the monarch but now exercised on the advice of ministers, such as the power to appoint the Prime Minister or to declare war.

Magna Carta

A 1215 charter that limited the powers of the king and established that the monarch was subject to the law.

Parliament Acts

Legislation of 1911 and 1949 that removed the House of Lords’ absolute veto and reduced its delaying power, thereby strengthening the authority of the House of Commons.

Constitutional Convention

A non‑binding practice that is followed because of political tradition and is not enforceable by law.

Unwritten Constitution

A constitution that is not codified in a single written document but is based on statutes, common‑law decisions, and conventions.

Unwritten constitution

A constitution that is not codified in a single written document but is made up of statutes, common law, conventions, and historical documents.

Parliamentary sovereignty

The principle that Parliament has supreme legal authority and can make or unmake any law, and no other body can override its legislation.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

The principle that Parliament can make or unmake any law, and no other body can override its legislation.

Constitutional Convention

An unwritten rule or practice that is accepted as binding, guiding the behaviour of political actors.

Common Law

Law developed through judicial decisions rather than statutes, forming a significant part of the UK constitution.

Constitutional Convention

Unwritten rules that guide political practice in the UK; they are not legally enforceable but are respected by political actors.

Devolution

The statutory delegation of powers from the UK Parliament to sub‑national legislatures, such as the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish parliaments.

Compatibility Review

A judicial process introduced by the Human Rights Act 1998, whereby courts assess whether legislation is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

The doctrine that Parliament has the ultimate legal authority to make or unmake any law, and no other body can override its legislation.

Human Rights Act 1998

Legislation that incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, requiring public bodies to act in accordance with Convention rights and allowing courts to issue declarations of incompatibility.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

The doctrine that Parliament is the supreme legal authority in the UK, capable of making or unmaking any law, and that no other body can override its legislation.

Revising Chamber

A legislative body, such as the House of Lords, that reviews, amends, and delays bills proposed by the primary legislative chamber (the House of Commons) but cannot ultimately block them.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

The principle that Parliament can make or unmake any law, and no other body can override its legislation.

Executive Scrutiny

The processes by which Parliament examines, questions, and holds the executive accountable for its actions and decisions.

Sponsorship

The formal act of a Member of Parliament or peer introducing a bill to the House, indicating their support and responsibility for its progress.

Royal Assent

The monarch’s formal approval of a bill passed by both Houses, after which it becomes law.

Burkean representation

A model of representation where elected officials act as trustees, using their own judgment to act in the best interests of constituents.

Delegate representation

A model where elected officials act as mouthpieces, following the explicit wishes of their constituents.

Parliamentary sovereignty

The doctrine that Parliament has supreme legal authority and can create or repeal any law without external interference.

Legislative scrutiny

The process by which MPs and peers examine, debate, amend, and monitor proposed legislation to ensure it meets public and policy standards.

House of Commons

The lower house of Parliament, composed of elected MPs, with the primary power to introduce and pass primary legislation.

House of Lords

The upper house of Parliament, composed of life peers, bishops and hereditary peers, with a revising and scrutinising role over legislation.

Party Discipline

The expectation that MPs vote according to their party’s position, enforced through the party whip system.

Whips

Party officials who issue voting instructions, monitor compliance, and control committee membership to maintain party cohesion.