British Constitution

• The British Constitution defines the laws and political principles of the UK, clarifying the relationship between citizens and the political state. The key principle is parliamentary sovereignty, meaning Parliament is the highest legal authority that can make and change laws.
• The constitution consists of:

  • Laws and legislation passed by Parliament
  • Conventions developed over time
  • Common law (case law) developed by judges
• Features of the British Constitution:

  The British Constitution includes several institutions with different functions:

  • Power of government and the role of opposition
  • Prime Minister, Cabinet, and Civil Service
  • Legislature and judiciary and the police
  • Role of citizens, political parties, and the monarch
  • Uncodified constitution
  • Parliamentary sovereignty
• The Power of Government

  • Government is the main source of new legislation.
  • Power comes from a majority of seats in the House of Commons, won by the electorate. Governments with large majorities can pass laws more easily.
  • The Prime Minister and Cabinet decide the direction of new laws and oversee government departments, with the support of Civil Service experts.
  • Political authority is divided into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to ensure laws are applied fairly
• The Role of the Opposition

  The opposition consists of MPs from parties not in power

  . Their roles include:

  • Providing an alternative to the government in elections
  • Monitoring and challenging government policies
  • Forcing the government to reverse unpopular policies
  • Suggesting amendments to bills
  • Representing public views and concerns
• Suggest three reasons why an official opposition is important for democracy.

  • to provide an alternative to the current government
  • to scrutinise the work of government
  • to suggest amendments to bills proposed by governments