Understanding the British Constitution
What is a Constitution?
A constitution is a set of rules and principles that tells us how a country is governed. It includes:
- Institutions: These are the organisations that run the country, such as Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the courts.
- Laws: These are the rules that everyone must follow.
- Conventions: These are unwritten rules that are followed because they are traditional or customary.
The British Constitution
The British constitution is unique because it is unwritten. This means that there is no single document that contains all the rules and principles. Instead, it has developed over a long time—hundreds of years! Here are some key points:
- No Written Document: Unlike countries like the USA or France, the UK has never had a revolution that created a new system of government. Therefore, we do not have a written constitution.
- Flexibility: Some people believe that having an unwritten constitution allows for more flexibility. This means it can adapt more easily to changes in society and government.
- Historical Development: Important institutions and principles have grown gradually, shaped by history and traditions.
Examples of the British Constitution
- Parliament: The UK Parliament makes laws and checks the power of the government.
- The Monarchy: The monarchy has a role in the government, but its powers are mostly symbolic today.
- Common Law: This is law developed by judges through decisions in individual cases, rather than laws passed by Parliament.
Questions for the Life in the UK Test
Easy Level Questions
- What is a constitution?
- A) A type of book
- B) A set of rules for governing a country
- C) A government official
- D) A type of law
- What does the British constitution include?
- A) Only laws
- B) Institutions, laws, and conventions
- C) Only political parties
- D) Only the monarchy
- Is the British constitution written down in one document?
- A) Yes
- B) No
- C) Only for important laws
- D) Only for the monarchy
- Why is the British constitution called ‘unwritten’?
- A) It is in a secret document
- B) There is no single written document
- C) It is only spoken about
- D) It is written in a different language
- What is Parliament?
- A) A court
- B) An institution that makes laws
- C) A school
- D) A type of government
- What do conventions in the constitution refer to?
- A) Written laws
- B) Unwritten traditional rules
- C) Political parties
- D) Court decisions
- What is an example of a key institution in the UK?
- A) The library
- B) The Post Office
- C) The Prime Minister
- D) A local school
- Why might some people want a written constitution?
- A) To make it easier to read
- B) To have clear rules in one document
- C) To confuse people
- D) To remove flexibility
- What is one advantage of an unwritten constitution?
- A) It is easier to understand
- B) It can change with society
- C) It has a single document
- D) It requires fewer laws
- Who has a role in the British government but mainly has symbolic powers?
- A) The Prime Minister
- B) The Parliament
- C) The Monarchy
- D) The judges
Medium Level Questions
- How has the British constitution developed over time?
- A) Through revolutions
- B) Gradually, over hundreds of years
- C) From a single document
- D) By foreign influence
- What does it mean for an institution’s power to be ‘kept in check’?
- A) It can do whatever it wants
- B) Its power is limited and monitored
- C) It only acts on special occasions
- D) Its power is taken away
- What is a significant feature of the UK political system?
- A) It has a written constitution
- B) It is a democracy
- C) It has no political parties
- D) It is ruled by one person
- Which of the following is true about the laws in the UK?
- A) All laws are written
- B) Some laws come from common law
- C) Laws are made by the monarchy only
- D) Laws are not enforced
- Which of the following is a key aspect of British democracy?
- A) Citizens have no rights
- B) Parliament is elected by the people
- C) The monarchy makes all decisions
- D) Courts have no role
- What are common law decisions based on?
- A) Laws passed by Parliament
- B) Traditions from other countries
- C) Previous court decisions
- D) The wishes of the Prime Minister
- What is one reason people argue for a written constitution?
- A) To make the government more powerful
- B) To avoid confusion about rules
- C) To increase the role of the monarchy
- D) To limit citizen rights
- Which of the following institutions checks the government’s power?
- A) The Queen
- B) Parliament
- C) The army
- D) The police
- What type of government does the UK have?
- A) Monarchy only
- B) A dictatorship
- C) A parliamentary democracy
- D) A theocracy
- Why might some believe an unwritten constitution is beneficial?
- A) It is easier to read
- B) It allows for quicker changes
- C) It has fewer rules
- D) It removes the need for laws
Hard Level Questions
- What is the significance of conventions in the British constitution?
- A) They are legally binding laws
- B) They guide political behaviour and practices
- C) They are only followed by judges
- D) They can be completely ignored
- What role does the judiciary play in the UK constitution?
- A) They create laws
- B) They interpret laws and check government actions
- C) They only follow the Prime Minister
- D) They elect members of Parliament
- How does the unwritten constitution affect the stability of the UK?
- A) It makes it unstable
- B) It provides flexibility that can lead to stability
- C) It prevents any changes
- D) It creates confusion among citizens
- What historical event had a major impact on the development of the British constitution?
- A) The American War of Independence
- B) The English Civil War
- C) The French Revolution
- D) The Industrial Revolution
- What do we mean when we say the UK has a ‘parliamentary democracy’?
- A) The monarchy has all power
- B) Parliament is elected to make decisions for the country
- C) The army rules the country
- D) Citizens do not have a say in government
- Which document is often referred to as a key part of the UK’s constitutional framework?
- A) The Magna Carta
- B) The Bill of Rights
- C) The Treaty of Versailles
- D) The American Constitution
- How is the Prime Minister chosen in the UK?
- A) Appointed by the Queen
- B) Elected by the public directly
- C) Elected by members of the ruling party
- D) Selected by Parliament
- What is a key function of Parliament?
- A) To enforce laws
- B) To make and amend laws
- C) To run the police
- D) To manage the monarchy
- What does the term ‘separation of powers’ mean in the UK?
- A) The government is all-powerful
- B) Different institutions have distinct roles and responsibilities
- C) Only the monarchy holds power
- D) Laws are not needed
- Why is it important for laws to be kept up to date?
- A) To confuse the public
- B) To reflect changes in society
- C) To reduce the number of laws
- D) To limit individual freedoms
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
- C
- B
- B
- C
Medium Level Answers
- B
- B
- B
- B
- C
- C
- B
- B
- C
- B
Hard Level Answers
- B
- B
- B
- B
- B
- A
- C
- B
- B
- B
