1.4.4 Debates on the location of sovereignty in the UK

• In the UK, sovereignty traditionally resides in Parliament
• Devolution has shifted sovereignty to regional assemblies
• The Executive branch is led by the Prime Minister
• The Legislature can impeach ministers.


  True
• The traditional view of sovereignty in the UK places it solely in Parliament
• The modern view of sovereignty in the UK is that it is shared between Parliament, devolved assemblies, and formerly the EU.


  True
• EU membership ceded some sovereignty to EU law, which Brexit has reversed.


  True
• Parliament's laws cannot be overturned by any other body.


  True
• What are the three key branches of UK government?

  Executive, Legislature, Judiciary
• Which branch of UK government interprets laws and ensures justice?

  The Judiciary
• Order the interactions between the Executive and the Legislature:

  1️⃣ Executive proposes legislation to Parliament

  2️⃣ Parliament scrutinizes and debates the legislation

  3️⃣ Parliament approves or amends the legislation

  4️⃣ The Executive implements the approved law
• The key argument for parliamentary sovereignty is that Parliament's laws are unappealable and cannot be overturned
• The Supreme Court's ruling against the government's prorogation of Parliament in 2019 demonstrated judicial supremacy.


  True
• During EU membership, EU law prevailed over UK law
• Match the traditional and modern views of the Crown with their roles:

  Traditional View ↔️ Sovereign power originates from the Crown

  Modern View ↔️ Crown's powers are limited
• What are some ceremonial and reserve powers retained by the Crown?

  Appoint Prime Minister, Royal Assent
• The Crown retains ceremonial and reserve powers subject to parliamentary oversight.


  True
• Sovereignty refers to the supreme legal authority within a state to enforce laws without external interference
• In the UK, sovereignty has traditionally resided in Parliament
• The Executive proposes legislation to Parliament.


  True
• Explain how devolution and EU membership have affected UK sovereignty.

  1️⃣ Devolution shifts sovereignty to regional assemblies

  2️⃣ EU membership cedes sovereignty to EU law

  3️⃣ Brexit restores full sovereignty to Parliament
• Judges have the ultimate authority to interpret the constitution
• Brexit has largely reversed the impact of EU membership on UK sovereignty
• What does the Crown represent in the UK's system of government?

  Monarch's constitutional role
• What is the modern view of the Crown's role in UK sovereignty?

  Limited and subject to control
• Match the Crown's powers with their description:

  Royal Assent ↔️ Approval of legislation

  Royal Prerogative ↔️ Symbolic executive powers
• What is the primary locus of sovereign authority in the UK today?

  Parliament
• The Crown's ceremonial and reserve powers are now largely symbolic.


  True
• What does sovereignty refer to within a state?

  Supreme legal authority
• The Executive branch is responsible for formulating and implementing government policy.


  True
• Who leads the Judiciary in the UK?

  The Supreme Court
• Arrange the historical changes in UK sovereignty:

  1️⃣ Parliament as sole sovereign

  2️⃣ Devolution to regional assemblies

  3️⃣ EU membership limits sovereignty

  4️⃣ Brexit restores parliamentary sovereignty
• Brexit reversed the EU's influence on UK sovereignty.


  True
• Match the branch of government with its primary responsibility:

  Executive ↔️ Policy implementation

  Legislature ↔️ Lawmaking

  Judiciary ↔️ Interpreting laws
• The Judiciary in the UK is led by the Supreme Court
• Devolution and EU membership have introduced external influences on UK sovereignty.

  True
• Order the interactions between the branches of UK government:

  1️⃣ The Executive proposes legislation to Parliament

  2️⃣ Parliament scrutinises and amends the legislation

  3️⃣ The Judiciary reviews the legislation for constitutionality
• The location of sovereignty in the traditional view is solely in Parliament
• Parliamentary sovereignty means that Parliament has supreme legal authority
• In the modern view, external influence on sovereignty has increased due to international agreements