starter activity

Government without constitution is power

without right. Thomas Paine, The Rights of
Man, 1795. Copy this quote into your notes.
How true is this today? Can you think of any

What are the

sources of the
UK Constitution?

Aims To identify the sources of the

UK constitution

 Your task

Read Roberts p.205-6 or Watts,

pp.154-6. Draw a tree and on each
branch list and explain the different
sources of the UK constitution.

What are the sources of the

constitution?

Royal prerogatives , e.g

declare war
Statutes; Magna Carta of
1215, Bill of Rights, 1689
Political conventions , e.g.
ministerial responsibility
Common or case law
Constitutional experts,
e.g. Walter Bagehot,
Erskine May and A.V
Dicey.
EU laws & treaties, e.g.
Euro. Court of Justice

Walter Bagehot

 Your task
Read Roberts, p.207-209 and chart
the major changes in the UK
Constitution. Use weblinks on the
departments website to help you.

 Your task

Each of the following statutes have had a

significant impact on the UK constitution.
Work in groups to research and present
your findings.
The Life Peerages Act (1958)
The European Communities Act (1972)
The Human Rights Act (1998)
The Scotland Act (1998)
The Freedom of Information Act (2000)