UK Constitution Essay

Summary:

The UK has an uncodified constitution, which isn’t contained in a single, written document like in other nations. Instead, it consists of various Acts of Parliament, common law, and conventions. Queen Elizabeth II once commented on its puzzling nature, highlighting the uniqueness of the British constitution. While countries like the USA have written, rigid constitutions, the UK, Israel, and New Zealand don’t. Ironically, many elements of the UK’s “unwritten” constitution are recorded in written documents, such as the Magna Carta and Bill of Rights. This lack of a single, solidified constitution allows for flexibility, which has been advantageous in navigating complex issues, such as Brexit, where swift legal changes were required. F.F. Ridley identified three characteristics of a constitution: the supremacy of constitutional law over ordinary law, the entrenchment of laws with special amendment procedures, and the pre-existence of a constitution before establishing a government. The UK doesn’t strictly adhere to these characteristics, highlighting the fluid nature of its constitutional framework. While conventions play a vital role in the UK’s constitution, they are non-legal rules, underscoring the British constitution’s flexibility. Although uncodified, various elements of the UK’s constitution, such as common law and international law, are in written form. In essence, the UK possesses an evolving, adaptable constitutional system that may not fit the traditional mould but has served its democratic processes effectively.

Excerpt:

UK Constitution Essay

Potential Exam Question
The UK not only has a constitution, it has a written constitution.
Discuss.

“The British Constitution has always been puzzling and always will be”, as stated by Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, presents a rather perplexing perspective of the British constitution. According to a recent article by Professor Robert Blackburn (professor of constitutional law), Britain has an uncodified constitution comprised of Acts of Parliament, common law and conventions; these laws govern the country and stipulate the power among citizens and the government.

In contrast to other countries, the United Kingdom (UK), Israel and New Zealand are the only countries not to have a written constitution.