Legitimacy+1

This so-called “**Constitution of the Crown**” is based on important documents, common law, legal codes, and customs.
 * -- Legitimacy ** is the undisputed credibility that gives a government the right to rule, whereby the citizens of the country trust the government to take action in the best interests of the people. Great Britain was the first country in Europe to develop a limited monarchy. As a relatively isolated island country and a former imperial power, Great Britain was able to avoid having to declare independence and suffer through many violent revolutions and sudden changes in government. Thus, it was able to achieve stability by means of **gradualism**.
 * -- ** The constitution of the U.K. is unique, because it is not written in any single document. As the constitution is uncodified, much of the legitimacy of the government falls on common laws, customs, **tradition**, and unwritten constitutional conventions. The two main principles are:
 * 1) The Rule of (Statutory) Law
 * 2) ** Parliamentary Sovereignty ** (supremacy of Parliament)
 * -- **The laws and customs passed by Parliament greatly impact everyday life. “Constitutional reform” or amendments to Britain’s unwritten constitution can be made by passing **Acts of Parliament** by a majority in both the House of Lords and House of Commons, followed by Royal Assent (which is almost a definite given).


 * -- ** Britain continues to maintain a **constitutional monarchy**, although the monarch is simply a figurehead and symbol for unity and loyalty; rather than having any ruling power, the monarch simply presides over ceremonial roles.

__ The two written documents ____ most important ____ to Britain’s unwritten constitution are: __

1. **Magna Carta** – Signed in 1215 by King John, it set an agreement to consult with nobles before making important political decisions, such as ones regarding taxation. The Magna Carta first formed the basis of **limited government**. 2. **Bill of Rights** – Signed in 1688 by William and Mary after the Glorious Revolution, which marked a shift from monarchy to constitutional monarchy. Rather than enumerating rights to individual citizens, it lists rights retained by Parliament. It gave important policy-making power to Parliament, such as the power to levy taxes and control cash flow.

One of the Magna Carta’s clauses still remains in law today: “ No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled. Nor will we proceed with force against him. Except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land. To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice.”

__ History: __
 * The House of Lords and Parliament originated in the 13th century with the gathering of courtiers, judges, and bishops.
 * The history of the British government is marked by the gradual transfer of royal power to more representative bodies. By the end of the 17th century, Parliament’s power had already eclipsed that of the King.
 * The Prime Minister and Cabinet first appeared in the early to mid 18th century under William III and George I. As the first Prime Minister, Robert Walpole established the power and legitimacy of the new position.
 * There is neither constitutional court nor constitutional guarantee of human rights. However, the U.K. participated in the 1950 European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Since 1999, this convention has been incorporated in law by an act of Parliament and made a basis for increased power in courts against discrimination based on gender, age, race, and sex.
 * Britain has historically been relatively isolationist towards continental Europe. Many people disapprove of Britain’s membership in the European Union, especially since the introduction of the European Communities Act states that the European Parliament and EU law can take precedence over the British Parliament and British law.
 * Because of the lack of a single, written constitution, there is no doctrine for an effective separation of powers. However, some customary conventions allow unsatisfactory members of the government to be removed.
 * Thus, until the Constitutional Reform Act of 2005, the House of Lords served legislative functions as well as judicial functions as the highest court of appeal. The Lord Chancellor previously had power in the executive branch (Cabinet minister), legislative branch ( presiding officer of the House of Lords), and judicial branch (head of judiciary courts). However, by 2006, the three functions were split between the Lord Chancellor (executive), Lord Speaker (legislative), and Lord Chief Justice (judicial). The role of Law Lord (member of judiciary in House of Lords) was transferred to the new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in October 2009.

__Current Events__:

Audio Broadcast (First audio) - **http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1032_politicsuk/page5.shtml** Article on the crisis of political legitimacy (due to Iraq war) - **http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/aug2003/blai-a05.shtml** Gordon Brown's election and policies - **http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6644717.stm** Gordon Brown's proposal for change to constitution - **http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8093512.stm** Discussion on whether Britain does or doesn't have constitution - **http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/88136.stm** Article on devolution in Wales and Scotland - **http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1628485.stm**

//__Sources:__// Section on United Kingdom from Constitution Encyclopedia [] [] [] [] []