Parliamentary Sovereignty: The Cornerstone of UK Constitutional Law

Question 1

Clarity and Accessibility: Which of the following is NOT a potential constraint on parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

Magna Carta

Answer

International law

Answer

Constitutional conventions

Answer

Separation of powers

Question 2

Application: Which example demonstrates the application of parliamentary sovereignty to enact a policy change?

Accepted Answer

The government enacts a law banning smoking in public areas

Answer

The Monarch grants a royal charter to a new university

Answer

The Prime Minister signs a treaty with another country

Answer

The Supreme Court overturns a government decision

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

The courts have the power to strike down Acts of Parliament on the grounds of unconstitutionality.

Answer

The monarch cannot veto legislation passed by Parliament.

Answer

Parliament can amend or repeal any statute, regardless of its origin.

Answer

Parliament can abolish the monarchy.

Question 4

What is the significance of the Parliament Act of 1911?

Accepted Answer

It abolished the House of Lords' veto power over legislation.

Answer

It extended the term of Parliament from five to seven years.

Answer

It established the principle of universal suffrage.

Answer

It created the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Question 5

How does parliamentary sovereignty affect the separation of powers in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

It concentrates power in the hands of the legislature.

Answer

It weakens the role of the executive and the judiciary.

Answer

It creates a system of checks and balances between the three branches of government.

Answer

It has no impact on the separation of powers.

Question 6

True or False: Parliamentary sovereignty is an absolute and unbending doctrine.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 7

What is the fundamental difference between parliamentary sovereignty and constitutional supremacy?

Accepted Answer

Parliamentary sovereignty is unlimited, while constitutional supremacy is subject to certain limitations.

Answer

Constitutional supremacy is unlimited, while parliamentary sovereignty is limited.

Answer

They are the same concept,只不过用不同的术语来表达.

Answer

They are completely different concepts with no relation to each other.

Question 8

How does parliamentary sovereignty shape the role of the judiciary in the UK constitutional system?

Accepted Answer

The judiciary is subordinate to Parliament and bound by its enactments.

Answer

The judiciary is superior to Parliament and has the power to strike down its laws.

Answer

The judiciary is independent of Parliament and operates as a separate branch of government.

Answer

The judiciary shares equal power with Parliament in governing the country.

Question 9

How has parliamentary sovereignty influenced the development of the UK's political system?

Accepted Answer

It has established the UK as a parliamentary democracy where Parliament holds the supreme law-making authority.

Answer

It has made the UK a constitutional monarchy where the monarch has significant political power.

Answer

It has transformed the UK into a republic where the head of state is elected by the people.

Answer

It has had no significant impact on the UK's political system.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the relationship between Parliament and the executive under parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

The executive is accountable to Parliament and can be dismissed by a vote of no confidence.

Answer

Parliament is accountable to the executive and can be dissolved by the Prime Minister.

Answer

They are separate and independent entities with no accountability to each other.

Answer

They share power equally and govern the country jointly.

Question 11

The principle of the separation of powers in the UK constitution implies that:

Accepted Answer

Different branches of government have distinct functions.

Answer

All powers of government are concentrated in Parliament.

Answer

The judiciary is subordinate to the legislature.

Answer

The executive has no role in law-making.

Question 12

A potential implication of parliamentary sovereignty for the rights of individuals is that:

Accepted Answer

Parliament can override fundamental rights.

Answer

Parliament cannot enact laws that violate human rights.

Answer

Parliament must always balance individual rights against the public good.

Answer

Parliament's powers are restricted by the common law.

Question 13

The Human Rights Act 1998 mainly:

Accepted Answer

Incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.

Answer

Abolished the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty.

Answer

Limited Parliament's law-making powers significantly.

Answer

Established a new supreme court to enforce human rights.

Question 14

What was the significance of the Case of Proclamations (1611) in the development of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

It established the principle that Parliament can overrule common law decisions made by the courts.

Answer

It confirmed the supremacy of the King's prerogative powers over Parliament.

Answer

It recognized the importance of judicial review in limiting the powers of the government.

Answer

It limited the powers of the Prime Minister to act independently of Parliament.

Question 15

What is the role of the courts in relation to parliamentary sovereignty in the UK?

Accepted Answer

They can review the legality of government actions to ensure compliance with the law, but cannot overturn laws enacted by Parliament.

Answer

They can declare laws enacted by Parliament to be unconstitutional, thereby limiting Parliament's sovereignty.

Answer

They have no role in interpreting or enforcing laws enacted by Parliament, as Parliament is the supreme lawmaking body.

Answer

They are subordinate to Parliament in all matters and must always defer to the decisions of Parliament.

Question 16

What was the significance of the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 in the development of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

They limited the power of the House of Lords to veto legislation passed by the House of Commons.

Answer

They established the principle of ministerial responsibility, whereby government ministers are accountable to Parliament for their actions.

Answer

They created the office of Prime Minister as the head of government.

Answer

They abolished the monarchy and established a republic.

Question 17

According to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, the ultimate source of legal authority in the United Kingdom is:

Accepted Answer

Parliament

Answer

The monarch

Answer

The courts

Answer

The people

Question 18

How does parliamentary sovereignty impact the separation of powers?

Accepted Answer

It weakens the separation of powers by allowing Parliament to exercise powers that are typically reserved for the other branches.

Answer

It strengthens the separation of powers by ensuring a clear division of authority among the branches of government.

Answer

It has no impact on the separation of powers.

Answer

It strengthens the executive branch of government.

Question 19

What is the role of the courts in the context of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

To interpret and apply Acts of Parliament.

Answer

To question the validity of Acts of Parliament.

Answer

To create new laws.

Answer

To oversee the actions of the executive branch.

Question 20

What is the constitutional basis for parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

It is based on a long-standing constitutional convention.

Answer

It is enshrined in a written constitution.

Answer

It is derived from the common law.

Answer

It is not based on any formal constitutional document or convention.

Question 21

Who is renowned as the 'Father of English Parliamentary Sovereignty'?

Accepted Answer

Sir Edward Coke

Answer

Thomas More

Answer

William Blackstone

Answer

A.V. Dicey

Question 22

What is the significance of the 'manner and form' requirement in the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949?

Accepted Answer

It mandates that certain legislative proposals obtain the consent of the House of Lords.

Answer

It restricts the range of laws that Parliament can annul.

Answer

It prohibits the government from using delegated legislation.

Answer

It ensures the judiciary's independence from parliamentary influence.

Question 23

How does parliamentary sovereignty differ from the notion of constitutional supremacy?

Accepted Answer

Parliamentary sovereignty is absolute, whereas constitutional supremacy recognizes certain limits.

Answer

Constitutional supremacy emphasizes the protection of individual rights, while parliamentary sovereignty does not.

Answer

Parliamentary sovereignty applies only to the UK, while constitutional supremacy is a universal concept.

Answer

There is no meaningful distinction between the two concepts.