The Legislative acts as a check on the Executive - To what extent is this true today?

The first 200 words of this essay...

Emma Newman

"The Legislative acts as a check on the Executive"

To what extent is this true today?

I am going to look at the main role of both the executive and the legislature. The above statement does not give a clear insight to what checks and balances are in place today. Policies have changed since parliament came into being and this essay will examine how and to what extent this statement is true. The executive is the administrative branch of the government; it makes laws through the means of delegated legislation and drafts bills. The legislature on the other hand enacts the law but the line between the two powers is somewhat blurred.

The overlap of powers allows parliament to make any change it wishes by Act of Parliament and helps to ensure against arbitrary exercise of power. There is almost complete separation of powers in the USA where governmental intransigence in controversial matters is a much bigger problem than it is in the United Kingdom (here the judges can indulge in greater law making activities if necessary.). There is little executive - legislature separation in the UK but much legislature - executive/judiciary