British Constitution

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the primary goal of the Great Exhibition in 1851?

To fulfill various missions and duties

To demonstrate the decorative value of the monarchy

To impose power through coercion

To show strength and prowess without imposing power (correct)

What did Victoria and Albert want to demonstrate through the Great Exhibition?

Their practical and pragmatic value in society (correct)

Their lack of duties in society

Their decorative value in society

Their power through coercion

Why did Victoria mourn and retire for a long time?

Due to the death of her confidant, John Brown

Due to the advice of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli

Due to the death of her husband, Albert (correct)

Due to the development of modern journalism

What title did Victoria accept in 1877, upon the advice of Disraeli?

Empress of India Signup and view all the answers

Why did Queen Elizabeth II retire in Scotland in 1997?

Because she didn't want to express sympathy for Diana Signup and view all the answers

What is distinctive about the United Kingdom's constitutional document?

It does not possess a comprehensive and pre-eminent document Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible reason for the absence of a written constitution in the UK?

The pragmatic and historical evolution of the United Kingdom Signup and view all the answers

What event led to criticism of Queen Elizabeth II's silence in 1997?

The death of Princess Diana Signup and view all the answers

What was the alleged reason for Lord Halifax sending messengers to John Entick's house?

To suspect Entick of seditious libel Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Entick's lawsuit against Carrington?

Entick won the lawsuit Signup and view all the answers

What was Lord Halifax's role when he issued the warrant?

Secretary of State Signup and view all the answers

Why was Lord Halifax's warrant considered invalid?

Because he was not a Justice of the Peace Signup and view all the answers

What is the quote that stands out from Lord Chief Justice Camden?

By the law of England, every invasion of private property, be it ever so minute, is a trespass. Signup and view all the answers

What is the principle that citizens are free to do anything not specifically prohibited?

The principle of liberty Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the court's interpretation of statutes?

Constitutional input Signup and view all the answers

How long did the search of Entick's house last?

Four hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of constitutional conventions?

They are accepted assumptions about past and future practices Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Salisbury Convention?

To outline the working arrangements between the Labour Government and the Conservative Opposition Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of breaking a constitutional convention?

A political penalty will be imposed Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984?

To provide exceptions to the principle that the police cannot enter private property without a search warrant Signup and view all the answers

Who was the leader of the Conservative Opposition in the House of Lords during the Labour Government of 1945-51?

The 5th Marquess of Salisbury Signup and view all the answers

What is the problem with identifying and delineating conventions?

They are nowhere specified, making their content and scope unclear Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the Home Secretary's blanket ban on visits to prisoners by journalists for interviews?

It was overturned by the court Signup and view all the answers

What is the nature of constitutional conventions?

They are accepted assumptions about past and future practices Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Constitutional Committee of the House of Lords?

To examine all Public Bills for constitutional implications Signup and view all the answers

According to Sir John Laws, what is the relationship between Acts of Parliament and judge-made law?

Every Act of Parliament has the same standing in law as every other Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote about the evolution of the British constitution into three great periods?

Walter Bagehot Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 1485 in the context of the British constitution?

The defeat of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the first period of the British constitution, according to Walter Bagehot?

There was a Parliament to advise, but scarcely a Parliament to control Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the assertion of constitutional rights in the context of parliamentary supremacy?

The assertion of constitutional rights could be viewed as a misnomer Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the document that Walter Bagehot deals with in passing?

The Magna Carta Signup and view all the answers

What is the period of the British constitution that lasted until 1688?

The period of the growth of the new great council Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to describe the phenomenon of devolution?

A process, not an event Signup and view all the answers

What was the original role of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?

To set aside legislation deemed outside of the competence of the new decision-making authorities Signup and view all the answers

What took over jurisdiction for devolution and incompatibility cases from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?

The Supreme Court Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the issue of devolution in the UK?

The West Lothian Question Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the economic boom of South-East England in the 1980s?

It took place at the expense of the rest of the UK Signup and view all the answers

Who is quoted as saying that devolution is a process, not an event?

Ron Davies Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the Act that led to the creation of the Supreme Court?

Constitutional Reform Act 2005 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?

To review legislation for jurisdictional competence Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Great Exhibition of 1851

The Great Exhibition of 1851 was an example of soft power, showcasing British strength and prowess without coercion.
Victoria and Albert's influence helped stem criticism and demonstrated the monarchy's practical value in society.

Victoria and the Media

Victoria was the first media monarch, thanks in part to her alleged intimate relationship with John Brown, her husband's equerry.
She mourned Albert's death for around 10 years, during which time she retreated to Balmoral, Scotland.
The development of modern journalism, photography, the telegraph, and cinema coincided with Victoria's reign.

The Monarchy and Empire

Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli persuaded Victoria to resume her public duties in 1871.
Victoria accepted the title of Empress of India in 1877, tying the monarchy and empire together.

Comparisons to Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana

In 1997, Queen Elizabeth II retired to Scotland after Princess Diana's death, sparking concerns about her silence.
Prime Minister Tony Blair reminded the Queen of her need to make a public announcement about Diana's death.

British Politics and the Constitution

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy without a comprehensive, pre-eminent constitutional document governing government behavior.
The explanation for this unique feature is attributed to the pragmatic and historical evolution of the United Kingdom.

The Entick v Carrington Case

The 1765 Entick v Carrington case involved the unlawful search of John Entick's home and the seizure of his papers.
The Court of Common Pleas held that Lord Halifax, the secretary of state, had no authority to issue the warrant and that the search was a trespass.

Constitutional Conventions

Constitutional conventions are accepted assumptions about the way things have been done in the past and should continue to be done in the future.
They imply a genuine normative rule and can exact a penalty if broken, albeit a political penalty.

The Salisbury Convention

The Salisbury Convention emerged from working arrangements reached under the Labour Government of 1945-51.
It is a constitutional convention that the monarch must assent to all Bills properly passed by Parliament.

Devolution and the British Constitution

Devolution is a process, not an event, and has further to run.
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council originally dealt with the ambit of devolved powers and had the power to set aside legislation deemed outside of competence.

The Judiciary and Devolution

The Supreme Court replaced the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords in 2009 and took over jurisdiction for devolution and incompatibility cases from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.