3.1.1.1 The nature and sources of the British Constitution - Labour Constitutional Reform (Tony Blair) Flashcards
Labour constitutional changes
- Towards the end of the 20th century there were more calls for constitutional change.
- An 18-year period in opposition made Labour commit to constitutional reform.
- Labour aimed to do 4 things:
–> Modernise the UK system including Parliament;
–> Improve* democracy with referendums & electoral reform;*
–> Devolution to give powers to Scotland & Wales
–> Strengthen citizens’ rights.
- Most key constitutional reforms were carried out in Blair’s first term, 1997-2001, and reform to the judiciary was carried out in 2005.
- The impact of the economic crisis meant little change happened under Brown.
what did labour achieve for constitutional reform
Rights:
- Human Rights Act 1998.
- Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Devolution:
- Scottish Parliament created.
- Northern Ireland Assembly created.
Welsh Assembly created:
- Elected mayor of London and a London Assembly.
- Elected mayors in some other local areas.
Electoral reform:
- New electoral systems in devolved assemblies, for the EU & for mayors.
Parliamentary reform:
- House of Lords Act 1999.
- Only limited reforms to the House of Commons.
Judiciary:
- Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
- UK Supreme Court opened in 2009.
in what 7 areas did labour implement const reform during their time in power
- rights
- human Rights Act enshrined most of the provisions of the European conventions on Human rights (right to life,
freedoms, lifestyle etc) and compatible with ECHR - devolution
- transfers of certain executive powers and leg powers from central gov to subnational institutions; devolved bodies have different powers and distinctive features - regional and local government
- new directed mayor of london eg. they are granted significant powers (eg environment and transport); elected mayor model extended within 17 mayors nationwide - electoral reform
- recommended replacing FPTP with alternative vote plus –> proportional top up, unable to atc on a central recommendation - lords reform
- abolished rights of all but 92 hereditary peers that sit and vote in the upper house - commons reform
- Gordon brown aimed to limit the executives power –> 2009 reform in HoC with tony wright committee - judiciary
- lord chancellor is apart of all branches of gov: impartiality??
3 successes of labour with rights
- ensures the rights of individuals and makes them separate/protected from parliament
- all bills introduced at west minister/devolved assemblies are reviewed by lawyers to ensure HRA compliance
- freedom of information act 2000 allowed several facts to come to light
3 failures of labour with rights
- if parl passes a law that is not HRA/ECHR compatible, judges cannot overturn due to Psov
- parl created control orders (limited movement of suspected terrorists against article 5 in light of 9/11)
- ministers can veto applications for FOI 2000
3 successes of labour with devolution
- reduced support for the pro-independence SNP
- peace in NI by forcing unionists and nationalists together in an assmebly
- devolution has enhanced democracy and provided more opportunities for political participation
3 failures of labour with devolution
- devolution has been mixed in NI and power sharing government has fallen apart
- scottish independence still wanted and threatens UK stability
- Scottish mps can vote on any english matter but not E for them –> S NI and W receive more spending per person (etc education) and there are unequal levels of footing
3 successes of labour with regional and local government
- spread powers around the country –> regional devolvement
- mayor of London is an important political position London (second mayor becomes PM, BJohn) 2000
- acts of P 2007 and 2011 give them more power on housing, waste, environment and economic development
2 failures of labour with regional and local government
- keen to extend model beyond london, but rejected in the NE
- many areas repealed the use –> patchwork system
3 successes of labour with electoral reform
- other systems were adopted for devolved institutions and other elections (S,NI,W) –> AMS for london assembly, S, W
- introduce prop R
- for elections in the European Parl, closed regional party list
2 failures of labour with electoral reform
- no fundamental changes made as a lack of collective agreement
- labour did not change it as it was favourable –> they could win FPTP
3 successes of labour with lords reform
- HoL 1999: all but 92 hereditary peers abolished
- modernised HoL and ended tory domination of it
- now appoint lords based on merit and limits privilege
2 failures of labour with lords reform
- split in parl on how reform should go –> Hoc = partially/fully elected
- tony blair scandals –> several men nominated for peerages by tony blair had donated large amounts of money to the labour party in 2006-2007
successes of labour with commons reform
- petitions committee: select issues for debate suggested by public –> wright committee 2009
4 failures of labour with commons reform
- many changes had little to no significance
- tangible progress made by the global financial crisis
- 2x15 minute questions now become one 30 minute session –> PM less responsive to HoC
- labour aren’t elected next GE, so many reforms aren’t enacted
