How Has Parliamentary Sovereignty Been Modified?

The principle of parliamentary sovereignty has been modified as a result of the several political developments which have taken place in the 19th and 20th centuries. Almost all adults over the age of 18 have the right to vote. This means that the House of Commons is now elected by popular vote. There seems to be a difference between political sovereignty, residing with the electorate, and legal sovereignty, resting with parliament.

Referendums have also affected parliamentary sovereignty because they remove decision-making, or the confirmation of decision making, from Parliament. In recent years, the development of the party system has occurred which has altered the balance of Power between parliaments and the executive. Since the government is generally formed from the largest existing party in the House of Commons, it can usually rely on its majority to secure approval for its proposals.

It could be argued, therefore, that laws are initiated not by parliament, but by government. The principle of parliamentary sovereignty implies no theory about the location of political power. The sovereignty of parliament has always been limited by the need to take account of political realities.

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