A-Level Politics UK Gov.

• What is the main focus of the A Level Politics Edexcel course?

  UK Government and political processes
• What are the key topics covered in the A Level Politics Edexcel course?

  • UK Government
  • Parliament and Executive interaction
  • Sources of the UK Constitution
  • Prime Minister's powers
  • Legislative Process
  • Influence of the Supreme Court
  • Impact of the EU
  • Devolution and sovereignty
• What is one factor to consider regarding sovereignty in the UK?

  Dominance of the executive over Parliament
• How does the executive govern in relation to Parliament?

  It governs with the confidence of Parliament
• What impact do recent general election results have on Parliament's power?

  They may allow Parliament to challenge the government
• What role does the Supreme Court play in relation to parliamentary legislation?

  It can challenge parliamentary legislation
• What is the significance of the Supreme Court's establishment?

  It replaced the Law Lords as the final court
• How can Parliament affect the powers of the Supreme Court?

  Parliament can abolish or reduce its powers
• What has devolution done to parliamentary power?

  It has transferred power away from Parliament
• Why are devolved institutions unlikely to have their powers taken away?

  Due to potential public backlash
• What is the nature of referendums in relation to parliamentary sovereignty?

  They transfer sovereignty to the people
• What is the advisory nature of referendums?

  They are not binding on Parliament
• What power does the Human Rights Act give to judges?

  To issue declarations of incompatibility
• How can Parliament respond to the Human Rights Act?

  It can amend or replace the Act
• What impact does EU membership have on UK parliamentary sovereignty?

  EU laws can impact UK laws
• What did the Factortame case establish?

  The primacy of EU law over UK law
• How do EU supporters view the concept of sovereignty?

  As pooled among member states
• How does Parliament control devolved bodies?

  By granting and retaining powers over them
• What is the legal sovereignty in the UK attributed to?

  Statute law outranking all other laws
• What can judges recommend regarding laws?

  Changes through judicial review
• What is the advisory nature of referendums in the UK?

  Most do not need to be respected
• What did the Supreme Court decide in 2017 regarding Article 50?

  Parliament must be consulted before triggering
• What treaty created the European Union in 1991?

  Maastricht Treaty
• Who has the authority over environmental policy in the UK?

  EU
• What law created the Supreme Court?

  Constitutional Reform Act
• What is the Payroll Vote in the UK government?

  Support from ministers and junior ministers
• What are the arguments for and against Parliament's sovereignty in the UK?

  Arguments for Parliament's sovereignty:

  • Retains legal sovereignty
  • Can create and control devolved bodies
  • Judges' recommendations can be ignored

  
  

  Arguments against Parliament's sovereignty:

  • Political sovereignty lies with the electorate
  • Executive dominance over Parliament
  • Judges challenge legislation effectively
  • Powers given to devolved bodies are unlikely to be reversed