Overview

The United Kingdom Parliamentary Sovereignty Bill aims to reaffirm the supreme authority of the UK Parliament, limiting the impact of international law and EU influence on domestic legislation. It mandates referendums for certain legislative changes.

Description

This bill asserts the sovereignty of the UK Parliament as its paramount legal authority. Key aspects include:

• Section 1: Reaffirmation of Sovereignty: Explicitly restates the supreme authority of the UK Parliament.
• Section 2: Restrictions on Legal Instruments: Ministers are prohibited from creating or implementing legal instruments inconsistent with the bill or expanding EU functions in the UK without a public referendum.
• Section 3: Judicial Notice: Courts must interpret all laws in line with this bill, overriding conflicting elements in the European Communities Act 1972, international law, and prior Acts of Parliament (unless those Acts explicitly state otherwise and include a referendum clause).
• Section 4: Referendum Requirement for Royal Assent: Any bill contradicting or amending this act requires a public referendum before receiving Royal Assent.
• Section 5: Short Title and Extent: Officially names the bill and declares its application across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any government spending figures. However, the potential cost of holding referendums, if triggered, would be a significant indirect financial impact.

Groups Affected

This bill potentially affects numerous groups:

• Government Ministers: Face restrictions on their powers to create or implement legislation.
• The Judiciary: Required to interpret laws in accordance with the bill's stipulations.
• The UK Electorate: Could be called upon to participate in referendums on significant legislative changes.
• The European Union: Its influence on UK law is significantly curtailed.
• International Bodies: The bill's prioritization of UK parliamentary sovereignty may impact the UK's adherence to international law and treaties.

Powered by nyModel