1.4 Debates on further reform

Question 1

Give factors that perhaps devolution requires further reform

Answer 1

• SNP has called for an independence referendum; argues that the wishes of the majority of Scotland, who wanted to remain in the EU, were ignored
• Scottish independence, rejected, has been revived since the UK voted to leave the EU
• Devolution uneven in the way it applies to component parts of the UK
• Federal would create greater uniformity

Question 2

Give factors that perhaps devolution doesn’t require further reform

Answer 2

• Devolution modified our heavily centralised constitution; enables policies that meets needs and wishes at local level
• NI - devolution created power-sharing system of government; ending violence between unionists and nationalists

Question 3

Give factors that perhaps shows electoral systems don’t require further reform

Answer 3

• Produces proportional results to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and NI Assembly
• AV rejected in 2011 referendum; electoral reform not favoured to be extended to Westminster
• FPTP - strong governments, clear mandate, link between MPs and their constituencies

Question 4

Give factors that perhaps shows electoral systems do require further reform

Answer 4

• FPTP negatives - majority issue, lack of proportionality, electoral deserts
• Under-representation of smaller parties, current system produces governments with a majority of seats on the minority of the vote

Question 5

Arguments against reform for the House of Lords

Answer 5

Lords based much more on merit and experience, greater assertiveness in holding the government to account

Question 6

Argument for reform of the House of Lords

Answer 6

The Lords lacks legitimacy because none of its members are elected

Question 7

Arguments for reform of the Human Rights Act

Answer 7

• Case for strengthening the Act; governments can currently take away important liberties by a simple majority vote in Parliament
• Conservative critics believe the Act should be replaces with a Bill of Rights; Supreme Court would be final judge of citizens rights

Question 8

Arguments against reform of the Human Rights Act

Answer 8

• Provides protection of citizens’ rights without threatening parliamentary sovereignty
• Government can modify the way it operates because its not entrenched; creation of control orders in 2005

Question 9

Overview - there is a case that no more reform is needed

Answer 9

• Current settlement protects rights of citizen; enabling elections of strong governments; able to act in national interest
• Lack of clear agreements on form that any further changes should take

Question 10

Overview - case that more reform is needed

Answer 10

• In many respects, the current system us incomplete and illogical; unelected upper house, voting system isn’t fully representative of the electorate’s views
• Federal system could remove anomalies created by current ‘asymmetric’ devolution agreements
• Citizens need greater clarity on the nature of their rights

Question 11

How are the supposed weaknesses and strengths of the UK constitution described as?

Answer 11

Subjective