Supremacy of the Parliament and the Rule of Law in the UK: An Analysis

Abstract

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, which means that the monarch must abide by a constitution that outlines the powers and limitations of the government. In the UK, the concept of the rule of law is central to the functioning of the legal system, and the principle of parliamentary sovereignty is considered to be a fundamental aspect of the constitution. However, the concept of the royal prerogative, which is the set of powers and privileges that historically belonged to the monarch, still exists. These powers include the right to appoint and dismiss ministers, to issue pardons, to grant honours and titles, to declare war, and to sign treaties. Although many of these powers have been transferred to the Parliament, some remain with the monarch and their use is subject to limited judicial review. While the concepts of the royal prerogative and parliamentary supremacy remain important aspects of the UK's constitutional framework, they must be balanced against the principle of the rule of law. The use of executive power must be subject to legal scrutiny, and Parliament must continue to act as a check on the government's actions to ensure that they are consistent with the rule of law.