What is the primary characteristic of Parliament as a governing body?

The primary characteristic of Parliament as a governing body is that it is sovereign but influenced by EU membership. This reflects the understanding that Parliament holds supreme authority in the UK, wielding legislative powers to create and implement laws. However, the influence of EU membership is significant as it previously required Parliament to adhere to certain regulations and directives issued by the European Union. This meant that while Parliament could theoretically pass any law it wished, it had to navigate the constraints imposed by its obligations under EU law during the UK's membership until Brexit.

This situation highlighted the complexity of sovereignty in modern governance, where international relationships and treaties can impact national legislative authority. Therefore, recognizing the sovereignty of Parliament while acknowledging the influence of external entities like the EU is critical to understanding its role in governance.