Take this Exam: A-Level Politics: UK Constitution, Devolution and Rights | Zestly

Question 1

A right is protected by an ordinary Act of Parliament. A critic argues this leaves the right exposed, while a supporter argues it preserves democratic control. What does this reveal about the UK's approach to rights?

Accepted Answer

Rights protected by statute are not entrenched and can be amended by a simple majority in a later Act.

Answer

Rights protected by statute are automatically superior to any future legislation passed by Parliament.

Answer

Rights protected by statute require a special procedure or referendum to be altered.

Answer

Rights protected by statute are protected by the Supreme Court's power to strike down legislation.

Question 2

The Supreme Court interprets an Act of Parliament in a way that the government finds problematic. What is the constitutional position regarding the Court's interpretation?

Accepted Answer

The Court has interpreted the law, but Parliament remains free to pass new legislation to change the law.

Answer

The Court's interpretation is final and Parliament is legally barred from legislating on that subject again.

Answer

The Court has the power to strike down the Act if it disagrees with the government's intent.

Answer

The government can force the Court to change its interpretation through an executive order.

Question 3

Two people are debating the constitution. Person A argues that a codified constitution would provide greater clarity and protection for individual rights. Person B argues that an uncodified constitution allows for necessary flexibility and evolution. Which statement correctly attributes these views?

Accepted Answer

Person A supports codification, while Person B supports the current uncodified arrangement.

Answer

Person A supports the status quo, while Person B supports reform.

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Person A argues for the preservation of parliamentary sovereignty, while Person B argues for judicial supremacy.

Answer

Person A supports the current arrangement, while Person B supports a new constitutional document.

Question 4

A significant constitutional change is made by an ordinary Act of Parliament passed through the standard legislative process. What does this illustrate about the UK's constitutional change mechanism?

Answer

That the UK requires a referendum for all constitutional changes.

Answer

That the UK constitution is defective because it lacks a formal amendment process.

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That the UK system relies on the same process for constitutional and non-constitutional changes.

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That the UK constitution is effectively entrenched against arbitrary change.

Question 5

Parliament passes an Act and writes into it a section declaring that no future Parliament may repeal or amend that Act. Some years later a new Parliament passes an ordinary Act repealing it. What does the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty say about this?

Answer

The repeal is invalid, because an Act that declares itself unrepealable binds every Parliament that comes after it.

Answer

The repeal takes effect: on the orthodox account no Parliament can bind its successors, so the declaration cannot prevent a later Parliament from legislating, and it works as a political signal rather than as a legal barrier.

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The situation cannot arise, since no Act has ever contained such a declaration and a court would refuse to look at one.

Answer

The repeal is valid only if the later Parliament first holds a referendum, because an Act protected in this way can be undone only by the electorate.