Overview

The United Kingdom Parliamentary Sovereignty Bill aims to reaffirm the supremacy of the UK Parliament and limit government actions that could undermine this principle, particularly concerning the European Union and international law.

Description

This bill seeks to establish the absolute sovereignty of the UK Parliament. Key aspects include:

• Reaffirmation of Parliamentary Sovereignty: The bill explicitly restates the supreme authority of the UK Parliament.
• Restriction on Legal Instruments: Ministers are prohibited from creating or enforcing legal instruments inconsistent with the bill or expanding EU powers affecting the UK without a national referendum.
• Judicial Interpretation: Courts must interpret the bill as having precedence over the European Communities Act 1972, international law, and all previous Acts of Parliament unless those Acts explicitly state otherwise and include a referendum clause.
• Referendum Requirement for Royal Assent: No bill contradicting this Act can receive Royal Assent unless it's approved by a UK-wide referendum after passing through both houses of Parliament.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The potential costs would arise from any necessary referendums and implementing legislative changes required for compliance.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Government Ministers: Their ability to implement certain legal instruments and policies would be significantly constrained.
• UK Courts: Judicial interpretation and precedent would be directly affected by the bill's provisions.
• The European Union: The bill challenges aspects of EU authority within the UK, potentially leading to tensions in the UK-EU relationship.
• UK Electorate: The bill could lead to more frequent referendums on significant legislation.

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