Parliamentary Sovereignty Parliamentary Sovereignty -Parliamentary Supremacy: Parliament has absolute ultimate power within the British system Parliament can pass, repeal and alter any of Britain's laws. This is one of the major powers that a government has In theory there is no body that can declare a law passed by Parliament as unconstitutional though the full impact of the european court is not yet known
Parliamentary Sovereignty • Parliamentary Sovereignty – Parliamentary Supremacy :Parliament has absolute & ultimate power within the British system • Parliament can pass, repeal and alter any of Britain’s laws. This is one of the major powers that a government has. • In theory there is no body that can declare a law passed by Parliament as unconstitutional - though the full impact of the European Court is not yet known
The Principles of Parliamentary Democracy a. parliament is elected and sovereign b. Parliament selects the executive The Cabinet c. The cabinet retains executive power only as long as it retains the "confidence"of parliament d. Usually the head of the executive retains the power to disband parliament and call for elections
The Principles of Parliamentary Democracy a. Parliament is Elected and Sovereign b. Parliament selects the executive (“The Cabinet”) c. The cabinet retains executive power only as long as it retains the “confidence” of parliament d. Usually the head of the executive retains the power to disband parliament and call for elections
Parliamentary Elections General elections are held after parliament has been dissolved For electoral purposes Britain is divided into(659) constituencies, each of which returns one mp to the House of commons The british electoral system is based on the relative majority method sometimes called the first past the post (FPTP principle which means the candidate with more votes than any other is elected The leader of the political party which wins most seats (although not necessarily most votes)at a general election, or who has the support of a majority of members in the house of commons is by convention invited by the sovereign to form the new government. h
Parliamentary Elections • General elections are held after Parliament has been ‘dissolved’. • For electoral purposes Britain is divided into (659) constituencies, each of which returns one MP to the House of Commons • The British electoral system is based on the relative majority method sometimes called the ‘first past the post’ (FPTP) principle which means the candidate with more votes than any other is elected. • The leader of the political party which wins most seats (although not necessarily most votes) at a general election, or who has the support of a majority of members in the House of Commons, is by convention invited by the Sovereign to form the new government. h
Parliamentary Supremacy &the Sources of britains constitution Britain does not have a constitution written down in a single document The constitution flows from 6 sources The Royal Prerogative - Personal prerogatives are held by the monarch as a person and political prerogatives as head of state. The latter are the most important to the efficient constitution and include the rights to declare war or make peace, pardon criminals, dissolve Parliament, appoint ministers and assent to legislation. With the gradual erosion of the effective powers of the monarchy these..have been]..... inherited by the cabinet and the prime Minister. · Statue Common law Convention Authoritative Opinion · European Union Law
Parliamentary Supremacy & the Sources of Britain’s Constitution • Britain does not have a constitution written down in a single document. The constitution flows from 6 sources: • The Royal Prerogative -- Personal prerogatives are held by the monarch as a person and political prerogatives as head of state. The latter are the most important to the efficient constitution and include the rights to declare war or make peace, pardon criminals, dissolve Parliament, appoint ministers and assent to legislation. With the gradual erosion of the effective powers of the monarchy these ...[have been]..... inherited by the Cabinet and the Prime Minister. • Statue • Common Law • Convention • Authoritative Opinion • European Union Law
Separation of power, British Style There is actually no separation of power between the executive, legislature, and the judiciary 3 This principle of dividing the functions of government is meant to ensure that there is no excessive use or abuse of power by any small group of people
Separation of Power, British Style • There is actually no separation of power between the executive, legislature, and the judiciary.*** • This principle of dividing the functions of government is meant to ensure that there is no excessive use or abuse of power by any small group of people