UK constitution

By OakLeave
  • 1215

    Magna Carta

    Set out principle that no one, including King, is above law, and sets out RIGHT to a fair trial for all men

  • The Bill of Rights

    Established idea that monarch's power is reliant on consent of Parliament and set up frequent Parliaments, freedom of speech within parliament, and free elections. set up when William III and Mary II took throne

  • Act of Settlement

    Only a Protestant descendent of Sophia, Electress of Hanover can be monarch. Parliament have control over line of succession to throne. Followed by first Acts of Union.

  • Act of Union - Scotland

    United the thrones and nations of Scotland and England

  • Act of Union - Ireland

    United the nations of Great Britain, and Ireland

  • Great Reform Act

    many 'rotten' boroughs - very small population - were abolished, and representation was given to urban areas like Manchester. Addressed unequal distribution of seats. In counties, more middle class people given franchise, like tenant farmers. Gave vote to middle class people, such as small landowners, and shopkeepers
    most working men couldn't vote, as Act required people to own property
    increased electorate from 400,000-650,000
    males over age of 21. (6%) of population can vote

  • Reform Act 1867

    Granted vote to all householders in boroughs as well as lodgers who paid rent of £10 a year or more.
    Reduced property threshold in counties and gave vote to agricultural landowners and tenants with very small amounts of land
    Skilled workers could vote
    Roughly doubled the England and Wales electorate from 1 - 2million men, out of 7 million men at the time

  • Representation of the People Act 1884

    Extended same voting qualifications as existed in the towns to the countryside, more than doubling the electorate in the counties.
    Established the modern one member constituency as the normal pattern for parliamentary representation. Added 2 million voters

  • 1911 Parliament Act

    Following the HOL rejecting a budget by Lloyd George with tax increases in 1909, the 1911 Parliament Act prevented Lords from delaying money bills, and prevented them delaying other bills for more than 2 years

  • Representation of the People Act 1918

    gave vote to all men over 21, and to women over 30, if they meet the occupancy requirement

  • Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918

    Allowed women to become MPs

  • Government of Ireland Act 1920

    Allowed for creation of two home rule parliament in Ireland. implemented in Northern Ireland only

  • Anglo-Irish Treaty 1922

    Irish Free State comes into existence. Irish MPs withdraw from Westminster, except 12 from Northern Ireland.

  • Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928

    Lowers voting age for women to 21

  • His Majesty's Abdication Act 1936

    Allowed Edward VIII to abdicate in favour of his younger brother George, Duke of York

  • Representation of the People Act 1948

    Abolishes remaining double member constituencies and uni seats

  • 1949 Parliament Act

    Reduced period for which the HoL could delay a bill to 1 year

  • Life Peerages Act 1958

    Allows appointment of Life Peers and Peeresses, giving women right to sit and vote in the HoL

  • Peerage Act 1963

    enables peers to disclaim their peerages in order to stand for election to the HoC. all female hereditary peers admitted to HoL

  • Representation of the People Act 1969

    Reduces voting age to 18

  • 1972 European Communities Act

    Piece of legislation that entered Britain into the European Economic Community which would become the EU. This gave EEC/EU law precedence over UK law in the case of conflict

  • Scotland Act & Wales Act

    provides for directly elected assemblies in Scotland and Wales, but requires that a 40% of registered electorate, in addition to a majority, vote 'yes'. Referendums in 1979, Wales votes no. Scotland votes 'yes' but doesn't reach 40%. Both Acts repealed

  • Representation of the People Act 1985

    Extends franchise to British citizens living abroad

  • Human Rights Act 1998

    Incorporated ECHR into domestic law. Implemented in 2000

  • Northern Ireland Act 1998

    Good Friday Agreement - devolved assembly. Endorsed by electorate and first elections in 1998. Powers devolved from December 1999, but after subsequent suspensions, devolution restored 2007

  • Scotland Act & Government of Wales Act

    provides for the establishment of a Scottish Parliament, and a National Welsh Assembly. First elections to each body in 1999

  • Greater London Authority Act 1999

    Electors in Greater London vote for a Greater London Authority with directly elected mayor and assembly. first elections in 2000

  • House of Lords Act 1999

    removes right of all but 92 hereditary peers to sit in HoL

  • Freedom of Information Act 2000

    reformed data protection legislation

  • Constitutional Reform Act 2005

    enacts a number of changes including
    reforms role of Lord Chancellor
    Established a Lord Speaker in HoL
    Creates a Supreme Court

  • Government of Wales Act 2006

    Further devolution to Wales

  • Welsh Devolution Referendum 2011

    Gave Assembly full law making powers in the areas of its jurisdiction. 63% voted yes. Turnout of 35%.

  • Alternative Vote Referendum 2011

    67% said no. 42% turnout. Would have replaced FPTP with alternative vote method. Setback for Lib Dems