The government of the UK Revision Notes

1. The British Constitution

• Nature – Unwritten, flexible, made of statutes, conventions, common law and European law. It is *not* a single written document.
• Sources – Statutes (e.g., Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949), common‑law decisions, constitutional conventions (e.g., the monarch’s assent), and European Union law (until 2020).
• Key Documents – Magna Carta 1215 (limits on the monarch), Bill of Rights 1689 (rights of Parliament and subjects), Act of Settlement 1701 (succession rules), Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949 (reduce royal veto).
• Evaluation – These documents gradually shifted power from the monarch to Parliament and laid the groundwork for modern rights.

2. Parliament – Structure, Role and Scrutiny

• House of Commons – Elected MPs, primary law‑making body, holds the government to account.
• House of Lords – Appointed peers, revises legislation, provides expertise.
• Committees – Select, Joint and All‑Party; they investigate, scrutinise policy and hold ministers to account.
• Scrutiny Mechanisms – Question Time, Prime Minister’s Questions, committee hearings, and the role of the opposition.
• Effectiveness – Depends on party discipline, the power of the whips, and the willingness of MPs to challenge the government.

3. Representation Theories

• Burkean – MPs act as trustees, using their own judgment.
• Delegate – MPs represent constituents’ wishes.
• Mandate – MPs act on the party’s manifesto.
• Analysis – Examine how each theory explains MPs’ behaviour in key votes (e.g., Brexit, NHS reforms).

4. The Prime Minister and Cabinet

• Selection – PM is the leader of the majority party; cabinet members are chosen by the PM.
• Policy Making – Cabinet meetings set policy direction; the PM has the “prime ministerial veto” over cabinet decisions.
• Individual vs. Collective Responsibility – MPs must publicly support cabinet decisions, but can dissent privately.
• Examples – 1945‑1997: Labour’s welfare state expansion; 1997‑present: 2016 EU referendum and 2020‑21 pandemic response.
• Evaluation – Consider how the PM’s personal power and party discipline shape policy outcomes.

5. The Judiciary

• Composition – Judges appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Appointments Commission.
• Supreme Court – Highest court; can review legislation for ultra vires and constitutional compatibility.
• Judicial Review – Checks on the executive and legislature; ensures legality and fairness.
• Impact – Supreme Court rulings (e.g., *R (Miller) v Secretary of State*) can alter government policy and Parliament’s authority.

6. Devolution

• Devolved Bodies – Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, Northern Ireland Assembly, and the Greater London Authority.
• Powers – Education, health, transport, and some fiscal powers.
• England – No devolved parliament; debates focus on “English votes for English laws” and the possibility of a regional assembly.
• Evaluation – Assess how devolution changes the balance of power, representation, and policy coherence across the UK.

7. Comparative Analysis

• Constitution vs. Parliament – The constitution sets limits; Parliament interprets and applies them.
• Executive vs. Judiciary – The judiciary can check the executive, but the executive controls the appointment of judges.
• Devolution vs. Centralisation – Devolution decentralises power but can create policy fragmentation.

8. Application & Evaluation

• Case Studies – Use recent legislation (e.g., the Human Rights Act 1998 amendments, the 2019 EU Withdrawal Act) to illustrate how constitutional principles are applied.
• Debates – Evaluate arguments for and against further devolution, the role of the monarchy, and the balance between individual and collective rights.
• Exam Technique – Identify the key concept, explain its relevance, analyse evidence, and evaluate the outcome or impact.