1.4 How could the UK constitution be reformed?

Question 1

What are some problems not addressed by reforms?

Answer 1

1. No devolution in England.
2. House of Lords has lost all but 92 hereditary peers, but still lacks democratic legitimacy.
3. The European Convention on Human Rights has been incorporated into British law, but citizen’s rights are not entrenched into a constitution.

Question 2

What do critics say about the HoL and what benefits does it have?

Answer 2

1. Only when the Lords are elected and accountable to the public will they have democratic legitimacy.
2. Has experts in every field, scrutiny held in high regard.
3. In disputes, C will always prevail due to democratic legitimacy.
4. Gridlock, both would have a democratic mandate.
5. Has lots of crossbenchers, undermine its independence.

Question 3

Pros of Electoral Reform at Westminster:

Answer 3

1. Electoral system should be reformed to provide minority parties with fairer representation.
2. In 2024, Reform UK got over 4 million votes (14%) but only got 5 seats but the Conservatives got 6.8 million votes (23.7%) but got 121 seats.
3. Keir Starmer won with 9.7 million votes (33.7%) but Corbyn in 2019 got 10 million votes (32%) but only got 202 seats and lost.

Question 4

Cons of Electoral Reform at Westminster:

Answer 4

1. According to the Electoral Reform Society, using the d’Hondt formula there would have been no winner in 2019, no party would have gained an overall majority.
2. Public was eager to solve Brexit, coalition unpopular
3. Is not representational in Scotland and Wales, Lib Dems got 6% but got 3% seats in Holyrood 2021.
4. In WA, got 4.7% votes, 1.7% seats.
5. In 2017 and 2019 lots of supposed safe seats changed hands, shows FPTP is responsive to change.

Question 5

Arguments in Favour of English Devolution:

Answer 5

1. England is by far the most populous nation- 84%- no government.
2. Devolved powers in S & W have been significantly increased since 1999, shows it is popular, illogical to not do it for England.
3. Created asymmetry, resentment that England’s needs are taken less seriously. Barnett Formula has meant that England has always received less funding per capita.
4. Strong sense of regional identity like Yorkshire and Cornwall, make regional assemblies more popular.
5. In 2015, Cornwall became the first county with devolved powers, including control of investment and bus services.

Question 6

Metro Mayors:

Answer 6

1. As chancellor of the exchequer from 2010-2016 George Osborne supported metro mayors.
2. From 2016-22 9 were created and BJ Gov promised more.
3. 41% of England’s population had a metro mayor with considerable powers over public spending and services.
4. Average turnout in 2021 was 34% an increase from 28% in 2017.
5. London. Turnout in the 2024 mayoral election was 40.5%, marginally down from 40.9% in 2021.

Question 7

Arguments Against English Devolution:

Answer 7

1. Most English people are content with the fact that Westminster addresses their interests.
2. Could threaten the authority of Parliament. PW brings MPs from all over the country, any reduction in power could break up the UK.
3. ‘Balkanisation’ in which a shared identity is undermined by competing national identities.
4. If it was elected using PR could give influence to extremists like the EDL.
5. No sense regional identity even the NE of E with the identity rejected it 78% to 22% in 2004.
6. Create another layer of government, democratic overload, undermine legitimacy of the result.
7. Turnout for police commissioners has dropped and SW elections’ turnout are lower than the average general election. In England where So nationhood is weaker, may fail to achieve a mandate.
8. 41% of population have metro mayors, scheme could be taken further, no need

Question 8

Turnout in S&W for devolved bodies:

Answer 8

1999:
W: 46%
S: 59%

2021:
W: 46.6%
S: 63.5%

Question 9

Devolution has been a constitutional success

Answer 9

1. Made it so that Scotland and Wales were not governed by Conservative govs 1979-97, which as a nation they had not voted for.
2. Encouraged self-determination by enabling Scotland and Wales to develop policies suited to them.
3. Encouraged nationalism in Scotland, no evidence of this in Wales.
4. Turnout in elections increased. W 2003 38%, 2021 46.6%. S 2003 49.7% 2021, 63.5%.
5. Without devolution there may have been more calls for independence in response to Conservative rule in WM.
6. Is imperfect in NI, but it has encouraged power sharing between republicans and unionists.
7. Has not caused nationalist backlash in England, m mayors address the asymmetry without another parliament.

Question 10

Devolution has not been a constitutional success:

Answer 10

1. Asymmetry
2. Potential constitutional conflict between Holyrood and WM. In 2021, the SNP and Greens secured a pro-independence gov. WM refused to grant a referendum, because the SNP had no outright mandate.
3. Independent Scotland- counterproductive and weaken UK global influence.
4. Unsuccessful in NI, long periods where they have not been able to cooperate at Stormont 2002-07 and 2017-20
5. Has failed to engage the public. Metro mayors were elected with 28% in 2017 and 34% in 2021. Highest turnout in W was 46.6% in 2021 and S was 63.5% in 2021. Lower than the average WM 67.3%.
6. In 2022, Bristol voted in a referendum to abolish its elected mayor.
7. Provided a disparate response to national problems like Covid-19 when a unified response- less confusing. google example.