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Difficulty: HardParliamentary Democracy

Within the British constitutional framework, the concept of 'parliamentary sovereignty' defines the democratic power of the legislature. In this context, which of the following is true regarding the authority of Parliament?

  1. Parliament is the highest legal authority in the land and has the power to make or unmake any law.Answer
  2. B
    The Supreme Court has the constitutional power to strike down and nullify any Act of Parliament that it deems undemocratic.
  3. C
    The Monarch reserves the absolute right to override Parliamentary decisions on matters of national security without government advice.
  4. D
    The House of Lords can permanently block any legislation passed by the House of Commons if it involves a change to the constitution.

Answer

Parliament is the highest legal authority and has the power to make or unmake any law.
The correct answer identifies that Parliament is the supreme legal authority in the United Kingdom. This means that an Act of Parliament is the highest form of law, and no other body—including the courts or the Monarch—has the power to set aside or override legislation that Parliament has passed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core principle of the UK's parliamentary democracy.
The principle is Parliamentary Sovereignty.
This principle establishes the hierarchy of power within the UK's unwritten constitution.
2
Evaluate the relationship between Parliament and other institutions like the Courts and the Monarch.
Parliament is supreme over the judiciary and the executive.
This means that no court can strike down an Act of Parliament, and the Monarch's role is ceremonial and advisory in the legislative process.
3
Select the option that reflects the unlimited legislative authority of Parliament.
The option stating Parliament can make or unmake any law is correct.
This is the classic definition of sovereignty as applied to the UK Parliament.

Key Concept

Parliamentary Sovereignty
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Topics

Parliamentary Democracy

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