What is the British constitution and how does it work?
The meaning of a constitution, why the UK constitution is described as uncodified, its main sources, the difference between democracy and other systems, and the principles of parliamentary sovereignty and the separation of powers.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on the British constitution: what a constitution is, why the UK's is uncodified, its main sources, the difference between democracy and other systems, and the principles of parliamentary sovereignty and the separation of powers.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain what a constitution is, why the UK's is described as uncodified, what its main sources are, how democracy differs from other systems of government, and the principles that hold the system together (parliamentary sovereignty and the separation of powers). This opens Section 2, Democracy and government, and is examined through knowledge questions on the constitution and through "Explain" and "Evaluate" questions on its strengths and weaknesses.
What a constitution is
Why the UK constitution is uncodified, and its sources
Because the constitution is uncodified and partly based on convention, it is flexible: it can be changed by an ordinary Act of Parliament rather than a special amendment process. Supporters say this makes it adaptable; critics say it gives few firm protections and relies on those in power respecting conventions. This is a strong "evaluate" point.
Democracy and the key principles
OCR rewards using these terms accurately. The strongest answers note that the separation of powers and an independent judiciary protect citizens from the abuse of power, linking back to the rule of law in Section 1.
Try this
Q1. Is the UK constitution codified or uncodified? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Uncodified (there is no single written constitution document).
Q2. Explain what parliamentary sovereignty means. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Parliament is the supreme law-making body and can make or unmake any law; no other body, including the courts, can override an Act of Parliament.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J270 20192 marksState what is meant by a constitution.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (2 marks). Reward a clear definition plus a developing detail.
A constitution is the set of rules and principles that says how a country is governed (1 mark): how power is shared between the institutions of the state (such as Parliament, government and the courts) and what the rights of citizens are (second mark for development).
Top marks. A definition plus a developed point. Avoid simply saying "the rules of a country" with no link to government or rights.
OCR J270 20228 marksExplain why the UK is described as having an uncodified constitution.Show worked answer →
An extended "Explain" question (8 marks, AO1 and AO2). Reward developed reasons, each explained.
Reason one. The UK has no single written document called "the constitution"; instead the rules are spread across many sources, so it is uncodified rather than codified like the US constitution.
Reason two. Its sources include statute law (Acts such as the Human Rights Act 1998), common law, conventions (unwritten customs such as the monarch granting Royal Assent) and works of authority, which together make up the constitution.
Reason three. Because it is uncodified and based partly on convention, it is flexible and can be changed by an ordinary Act of Parliament, unlike a codified constitution that needs a special process to amend.
Top band. Define uncodified, give the sources, and explain the consequence (flexibility), with a judgement on a strength or weakness.
Related dot points
- The structure of Parliament (the House of Commons and the House of Lords), the difference between Parliament and government, the roles of MPs, peers and the Prime Minister, how laws are made, and how Parliament holds the government to account.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on Parliament and government: the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the difference between Parliament and government, the roles of MPs, peers and the Prime Minister, how laws are made, and how Parliament scrutinises the government.
- The role of the monarch as head of state in a constitutional monarchy, the role of the executive (the Prime Minister, Cabinet and the civil service) as head of government, the difference between head of state and head of government, and how executive power is limited.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on the monarchy and the executive: the monarch as head of state in a constitutional monarchy, the Prime Minister, Cabinet and civil service as the executive, the difference between head of state and head of government, and the limits on executive power.
- Who can vote and how elections work, the first-past-the-post system used for general elections and its advantages and disadvantages, other voting systems used in the UK, the role of political parties, and the importance of voting and turnout.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on elections and voting systems: who can vote, how general elections work, first-past-the-post and its advantages and disadvantages, other voting systems used in the UK, the role of political parties, and the importance of voter turnout.
- The meaning of devolution, the powers of the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd and the Northern Ireland Assembly, the role of local government and councils, the services councils provide, and the difference between reserved and devolved powers.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on devolution and local government: what devolution means, the powers of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and Northern Ireland Assembly, the role and services of local councils, and the difference between reserved and devolved powers.
- The ways citizens can participate in democracy beyond voting, including standing for office, joining parties and pressure groups, petitions, campaigning, lobbying and the role of trade unions, and the factors that affect how much people participate.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on how citizens take part in and influence democracy: voting, standing for office, joining parties, pressure groups and trade unions, petitions, campaigning and lobbying, and the factors that affect participation.
Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Citizenship Studies J270 specification — OCR (2016)
- The UK constitution — UK Parliament (2023)