The correct option is 2 only.
Explanation
Constitutions are broadly classified into codified (written) and uncodified (unwritten) constitutions. A codified constitution is contained in a single document, whereas an uncodified constitution is derived from a variety of sources over time. The Constitution of the United Kingdom is the most prominent example of an uncodified constitution.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The UK Constitution is not a single, compact document. Unlike the Constitution of India or the United States, which are codified in a single legal instrument, the UK Constitution has not been codified into one specific document.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The UK Constitution is an accumulation of various statutes, conventions, judicial decisions, and treaties. It comprises a series of documents (such as the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights 1689, and Acts of Parliament) and decisions taken collectively over centuries.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect. Describing the UK Constitution as "unwritten" is technically a misnomer if interpreted to mean it does not exist in writing at all. A significant portion of it exists in written form, such as Acts of Parliament and court judgments. It is termed "unwritten" only because it is not codified into a single sovereign document.
Key Takeaway: The UK Constitution is uncodified, meaning it is not found in a single document but is evolved through statutes, common law, and conventions; however, it is not entirely unwritten.