A report on Constitution and Westminster system
Unlike the uncodified British constitution, most countries that use the Westminster system have codified the system, at least in part, in a written constitution.
- Westminster systemUncodified constitutions are the product of an "evolution" of laws and conventions over centuries (such as in the Westminster System that developed in Britain).
- Constitution5 related topics with Alpha
Prime minister
2 linksHead of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system.
Head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system.
In parliamentary systems fashioned after the Westminster system, the prime minister is the presiding and actual head of government and head/owner of the executive power.
(Some constitutional experts have questioned whether this process is actually in keeping with the provisions of the Irish constitution, which appear to suggest that a taoiseach should remain in office, without the requirement of a renomination, unless s/he has clearly lost the general election.) The position of prime minister is normally chosen from the political party that commands majority of seats in the lower house of parliament.
Constitutional monarchy
1 linksForm of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in deciding.
Form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in deciding.
Constitutional monarchy may refer to a system in which the monarch acts as a non-party political head of state under the constitution, whether written or unwritten.
The United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms are all constitutional monarchies in the Westminster system of constitutional governance.
Parliamentary procedure
1 linksAccepted rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings of an assembly or organization.
Accepted rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings of an assembly or organization.
The Westminster parliamentary procedures are followed in several Commonwealth countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa.
Parliamentary procedure also allows for rules in regards to nomination, voting, debate, disciplinary action, appeals, and the drafting of organization charters, constitutions, and bylaws.
Legislature
1 linksAssembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or city.
Assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or city.
In Westminster-style legislatures the executive (composed of the cabinet) can essentially pass any laws it wants, as it usually has a majority of legislators behind it, kept in check by the party whip, while committee-based legislatures in continental Europe and those in presidential systems of the Americas have more independence in drafting and amending bills.
Some political systems follow the principle of legislative supremacy, which holds that the legislature is the supreme branch of government and cannot be bound by other institutions, such as the judicial branch or a written constitution.
Motion of no confidence
1 linksStatement or vote about whether a person in a position of responsibility (government, management, etc.) is still deemed fit to hold that position, such as because they are inadequate in some aspect, fail to carry out their obligations, or make decisions that other members feel to be detrimental.
Statement or vote about whether a person in a position of responsibility (government, management, etc.) is still deemed fit to hold that position, such as because they are inadequate in some aspect, fail to carry out their obligations, or make decisions that other members feel to be detrimental.
Depending on the constitution of the body concerned, "no confidence" may lead to the dismissal of the Council of Ministers or other position-holders and often the dissolution of most of the leadership of the executive branch.
Traditionally, in the Westminster system, the defeat of a supply bill, which concerns the spending of money, is seen to require automatically for the government to resign or ask for a new election, much like a no-confidence vote.