Parliamentary Sovereignty

• • Parliamentary Sovereignty means Parliament is the supreme legal authority in the UK.
• Features:

  • Parliament can make, amend, or repeal laws.
  • Future Parliaments are not bound by previous ones.
  • Government is formed from elected MPs and is held accountable through checks and balances.
• The European Union-

  • Some argue that EU membership reduced parliamentary sovereignty because EU laws had priority over UK laws.
• Judicial Review-

  • Judicial Review allows courts to evaluate government decisions for legality.
  • Reasons for review include:
  • Ultra Vires – Acting beyond legal power.
  • Irrationality – Decisions that defy logic or moral standards.
  • Procedural Impropriety – Incorrect legal processes.
  • Legitimate Expectation – Breaking promises made by a public body.
• Select Committees-

  • Select Committees monitor and report on government actions.
  • House of Lords Committees cover EU affairs, science, and the constitution.
  • House of Commons Committees examine government spending, policy, and actions.
• Parliamentary Inquiries-

  • Inquiries investigate government failures or controversies.
  • Example: Windrush Scandal led to an inquiry recommending apologies and reforms.