1.2 Constitutional Reform Flashcards
What was the first stage of the 1997 House of Lords Reform?
The removal of hereditary peers. There was some objection so the Government had to compromise and allow 92 hereditary peers to stay.
What was stage 2 of the House of Lords reform?
To make it an elected chamber, however it was met with great objection and the plans were scrapped.
What happened in the House of Lords Act 1999?
Reduced the amount of hereditary peers to 92
What is a hereditary peer?
A member of the House of Lords there by birthright
What was the main reform of the House of Commons?
The Departmental Select Commitees
What were the works of the Departmental Select Commitees?
Made up of backbench MPs, their work is to scrutinise the government.
In 2004, what happened to the DSC?
Awarded additional salaries
In 2010, what happened to the DSC?
Labour introduced an election system to these commitees, making them more democratic
Why did the Human Rights reform happen?
- bring in line with rest of Europe
- increase in power of the police in the 80s and 90s threatened human rights
What did the Human Rights Act 1998 do?
Binded the European Convention on Human Rights to U.K. law, which became mandatory for all public bodies for follow
Name 5 articles in the ECHR?
- to life
- from torture
- from slavery
- to a fair trial
- to privacy
What was the Human Rights Act?
The first codified element of the U.K. constitution, it also had a legal status as it was set up by an external body - the EU
What electoral system was used for Scotland?
Additional Member System
What electoral system did Wales use?
Additional Member System
What electoral system did Northern Ireland use?
Single Transferable Vote
Why were these electoral systems used in the devolved nations?
To avoid parties dominating
- Labour in Scotland
- Unionist parties in Northern Ireland
What did the Lib Dems propose in 2010 whilst in the coalition government?
That the Alternative Vote system should be used in England
What were the 3 main effects of the judicial reform?
- separation of judiciary and government
- to create the Supreme Court
- appointment of senior judges
Explain the separation of the judiciary and government reform?
Judges should be impartial and have no relation to political parties, unlike in the past when Lord Chancellor was a cabinet member for the governing party. Lord Chancellor was in all 3 branches of government. So the notion of the independence of the judiciary was made, meaning judges should be independent from pressure from parties.
Explain the creation of the Supreme Court reform?
Needed a new high court other than the House of Lords. In the past, ‘Law Lords’ would meet in Parliament to discuss complex cases with great political consequences. Not appropriate for members of the legislature should also be at the highest level of the judiciary.
Supreme Court was opened in 2009 to separate parliament and the judiciary.
Explain the appointment of senior judges reform?
Belief that senior judges should not be appointed by party officials. Danger that appointments would be made based on politics rather than law. The Judicial Appointments Commission was set up to ensure all candidates would be suitable, using purely legal considerations. The most senior judge can still be picked by the government but needs to be approved by the JAC
What was the Freedom on Information Act?
An act that gave citizens the right to see certain kinds of information held by public bodies.
When did the Freedom of Information Act come into force?
2000
What was in the UKs version of the Freedom of Information Act?
Gave the government the right to conceal information
