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Understanding the UK Constitution: Nature and Sources

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Tanvir Ahmed

29/11/2025

Politics

Nature & Sources UK constitution

226

29 Nov 2025

3 pages

Understanding the UK Constitution: Nature and Sources

user profile picture

Tanvir Ahmed

@txnvir_ahmed

The UK Constitution is completely different from what you might... Show more

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The nature & Sources of the UK Constitution
→ Development stages
4 Magna Carta, 1215 limpistol
established that the rule of law should apply

Development Stages of the UK Constitution

Think of the UK Constitution as a building that's been constructed over 800 years, with each generation adding new floors and renovations. The Magna Carta of 1215 was the foundation stone, establishing that even kings and queens must follow the law - no one is above it.

The Bill of Rights in 1689 was a game-changer, essentially telling the monarch that Parliament was now sovereign and would have the final say on all laws. This shifted real power from the crown to elected representatives.

The Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 sorted out the pecking order between the House of Commons and House of Lords. Before 1911, both houses had equal power, but these acts stripped the Lords of their ability to control public finances and reduced their delaying powers from two years to just one year.

Key Point: Unlike most countries, the UK Constitution isn't written in one document - it's uncodified and spread across multiple sources, making it incredibly flexible but sometimes ambiguous.

The nature & Sources of the UK Constitution
→ Development stages
4 Magna Carta, 1215 limpistol
established that the rule of law should apply

The Unentrenched Nature

Here's where it gets interesting - the UK Constitution is unentrenched, meaning there are no special procedures needed to change it. This is because Parliament is sovereign, not the constitution itself.

Every new Parliament can basically rewrite constitutional rules using the same simple process as passing any other law. No special majorities, no complex procedures - just a standard vote. This means the government can effectively control and reshape the constitution whenever it wants.

Tony Blair's government demonstrated this perfectly when they passed the Human Rights Act in 1998, incorporating European human rights into UK law without any special constitutional procedures. It was as straightforward as passing a law about parking fines.

However, referendums are gradually changing this flexibility. When constitutional changes have public backing through a referendum, it becomes politically very difficult to reverse them without another public vote.

Reality Check: Each Parliament cannot bind its successors - every new government essentially gets a fresh start with constitutional powers.

The nature & Sources of the UK Constitution
→ Development stages
4 Magna Carta, 1215 limpistol
established that the rule of law should apply


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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Politics

226

29 Nov 2025

3 pages

Understanding the UK Constitution: Nature and Sources

user profile picture

Tanvir Ahmed

@txnvir_ahmed

The UK Constitution is completely different from what you might expect - there's no single document like the US Constitution! Instead, it's built from centuries of laws, traditions, and agreements that have evolved over time, making it uniquely flexible but... Show more

The nature & Sources of the UK Constitution
→ Development stages
4 Magna Carta, 1215 limpistol
established that the rule of law should apply

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Development Stages of the UK Constitution

Think of the UK Constitution as a building that's been constructed over 800 years, with each generation adding new floors and renovations. The Magna Carta of 1215 was the foundation stone, establishing that even kings and queens must follow the law - no one is above it.

The Bill of Rights in 1689 was a game-changer, essentially telling the monarch that Parliament was now sovereign and would have the final say on all laws. This shifted real power from the crown to elected representatives.

The Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 sorted out the pecking order between the House of Commons and House of Lords. Before 1911, both houses had equal power, but these acts stripped the Lords of their ability to control public finances and reduced their delaying powers from two years to just one year.

Key Point: Unlike most countries, the UK Constitution isn't written in one document - it's uncodified and spread across multiple sources, making it incredibly flexible but sometimes ambiguous.

The nature & Sources of the UK Constitution
→ Development stages
4 Magna Carta, 1215 limpistol
established that the rule of law should apply

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

The Unentrenched Nature

Here's where it gets interesting - the UK Constitution is unentrenched, meaning there are no special procedures needed to change it. This is because Parliament is sovereign, not the constitution itself.

Every new Parliament can basically rewrite constitutional rules using the same simple process as passing any other law. No special majorities, no complex procedures - just a standard vote. This means the government can effectively control and reshape the constitution whenever it wants.

Tony Blair's government demonstrated this perfectly when they passed the Human Rights Act in 1998, incorporating European human rights into UK law without any special constitutional procedures. It was as straightforward as passing a law about parking fines.

However, referendums are gradually changing this flexibility. When constitutional changes have public backing through a referendum, it becomes politically very difficult to reverse them without another public vote.

Reality Check: Each Parliament cannot bind its successors - every new government essentially gets a fresh start with constitutional powers.

The nature & Sources of the UK Constitution
→ Development stages
4 Magna Carta, 1215 limpistol
established that the rule of law should apply

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

We thought you’d never ask...

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Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user