POLS 3130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Parliamentary Sovereignty, Westminster System, Individual Ministerial Responsibility
3 Dec 2016
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Parliamentary or judicial supremacy (great exam question: abstract models, both claim superior rights protection. Laws passed by parliament would trump (or be supreme) over laws made by judges: parliamentary laws are more significant than common laws. Parliamentary supremacy (actively protecting rights) + rule of law = protection. Parliament has the right to make or unmake any law > right to override legislation of parliament: evolved largely from the uk. Laws must be apply to the ruled and rulers alike: rule of law; no one is above the law. Laws must be made by a known/accepted procedure: every law must follow the set procedure. Laws are not binding if the procedures are not followed. Key to protecting rights: parliament (not government - parliament refers to both opposition and the government in power: important role played by official opposition. First line of scrutiny and accountability for the government. Elections: an election can be called if the house loses confidence in the government.
