2.4.4 The location of sovereignty in the UK political system

• In the UK, sovereignty is held by Parliament
• Parliamentary sovereignty means Parliament is not subject to judicial review
• Popular sovereignty allows citizens to directly influence laws through referendums.


  True
• Parliamentary sovereignty ensures no constitutional limits on Parliament's legislative power
• Courts in the UK can review laws passed by Parliament.

  False
• What principle shapes the relationship between the judiciary and Parliament in the UK?

  Parliamentary sovereignty
• Order the following steps in the process of creating a new law in the UK Parliament:

  1️⃣ Drafting the bill

  2️⃣ First reading in the House of Commons

  3️⃣ Second reading in the House of Commons

  4️⃣ Committee stage

  5️⃣ Third reading in the House of Commons
• One Parliament can bind future Parliaments.

  False
• What is the supreme legal authority in the UK under parliamentary sovereignty?

  Parliament
• Parliamentary sovereignty allows courts to invalidate laws passed by Parliament.

  False
• What legal authority does the judiciary have in the UK compared to Parliament?

  Cannot invalidate laws
• Describe the differences in the roles of the judiciary and Parliament in the UK.

  1️⃣ The judiciary cannot invalidate laws passed by Parliament.

  2️⃣ Parliament has absolute and unrestricted power to enact laws.

  3️⃣ The judiciary is not subject to judicial review.
• The relationship between the legislature and executive in the UK is shaped by the principle of parliamentary sovereignty
• What holds the executive accountable in the UK political system?

  Parliament
• What impact did EU law supremacy have on UK law before Brexit?

  EU law superseded UK law
• Post-Brexit, the UK Parliament has full legislative autonomy without EU constraints.


  True
• Post-Brexit, the UK Parliament's unrestricted power to legislate raises concerns about the protection of minority rights.


  True
• Popular sovereignty contrasts with parliamentary sovereignty by vesting ultimate authority in the people
• Each Parliament can alter or repeal laws made by its predecessors.


  True
• Parliamentary sovereignty gives Parliament the power to make laws without being bound by prior Parliaments
• Successor Parliaments can repeal laws made by their predecessors.


  True
• The judiciary in the UK cannot invalidate laws passed by Parliament
• The judiciary in the UK plays a limited role due to the principle of parliamentary sovereignty.
• What is the ultimate legal authority in the UK under parliamentary sovereignty?

  Parliament
• Where does ultimate authority reside in popular sovereignty?

  The people
• What is the alternative to parliamentary sovereignty that vests ultimate authority in the people?

  Popular sovereignty
• The judiciary in the UK is subject to judicial review by Parliament.

  False
• Parliament has constitutional limits on its legislative power in the UK.

  False
• What is a key feature of the relationship between the legislature and executive in the UK?

  Fusion of powers
• The executive's influence over the legislature ensures the government is accountable to the democratic will of the people.

  True
• Describe the key influences of the EU on the UK legal system before Brexit.

  1️⃣ EU law supremacy constrained parliamentary sovereignty.

  2️⃣ UK Parliament had to align laws with EU directives.

  3️⃣ Influence extended to areas like the common market and human rights.
• Since Brexit, the UK Parliament has regained the ability to enact laws without EU constraints
• The location of sovereignty in Parliament ensures responsiveness to public needs.


  True
• The supreme legal authority in the UK rests with Parliament
• Courts in the UK cannot invalidate laws passed by Parliament.


  True
• The principle of parliamentary sovereignty means Parliament has unrestricted power to make laws
• The judiciary's power is constrained by the principle of parliamentary sovereignty.

  True
• The judiciary in the UK can invalidate laws passed by Parliament.

  False
• Parliament has the absolute legal authority to enact laws on any matter.
• Match the attribute with its description:

  Absolute Legal Authority ↔️ Parliament can enact laws on any matter

  Unrestricted ↔️ No constitutional limits on legislative power

  Not Subject to Judicial Review ↔️ Courts cannot invalidate laws