Flashcards: Understanding UK Political and Constitutional Structure — 24 cards

Great Britain vs UK — difference?

Great Britain is the island; UK includes Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Devolved governments — examples?

Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament.

Constitutional monarchy — role?

Symbolic, religious, and military functions exercised by the monarch.

Monarch’s religious role?

Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

UK constitution — sources?

Uncodified; based on statutes, common law, conventions.

Magna Carta — significance?

Limited royal power; foundational constitutional document.

Norman Conquest — year?

1066.

First English Parliament?

Simon de Montfort’s Parliament, 1265.

Bill of Rights — year?

1689.

Glorious Revolution — outcome?

Parliament’s sovereignty established; James II removed.

House of Commons — role?

Main legislative chamber; passes laws and controls finances.

Members of House of Commons?

Elected Members of Parliament (MPs).

House of Lords — origin?

Medieval institution, includes Lords Spiritual and Temporal.

Lords Spiritual — who?

Bishops and archbishops of the Church of England.

Lords Temporal — who?

Life peers and hereditary peers (most appointed post-1999).

UK political parties — origins?

Whigs and Tories emerged during the Glorious Revolution.

Conservative Party — roots?

Evolved from the Tory party around 1834.

UK economy — key sectors?

Services (80%), finance, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, automotive.

UK economy — global rank?

6th in nominal GDP (2024).

UK constitution — legal status?

Uncodified, based on a 'constitutional block'.

House of Lords — main function?

Revises and amends legislation from the Commons.

House of Lords — composition?

Lords Spiritual and Temporal, mostly appointed.

UK’s symbolic monarch role?

Ceremonial head of state with limited powers.

Royal prerogatives?

Opening/dissolving Parliament, Royal Assent, appointing ministers.