What gave parliament the right to pass laws in the colonies in all cases whatsoever?

The right of Parliament to pass laws in the colonies "in all cases whatsoever" was grounded in the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, which held that Parliament was the supreme legal authority in Britain and its colonies. This authority was asserted in the Declaratory Act of 1766, which accompanied the repeal of the Stamp Act, explicitly stating that Parliament had the right to legislate for the colonies in all matters. This claim was rooted in the belief that colonists were represented in Parliament through virtual representation, despite their lack of direct representation. However, this assertion fueled colonial discontent and resistance, ultimately contributing to the American Revolution.