5.) Evaluating Post 1997 Constitutional Changes Flashcards
What has been a successful change related to the House of Lords?
-Smaller with far less hereditary peers
-Peers can now be removed for crimes or if not fulfilling their role
What’s a failure of the change within the House of Lords?
-House of Lords still unelected
-Attempts to make HoL partly elected failed (HoL Reform Act failed after 91 Tories voted against)
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What’s a successful change within the Supreme Court?
-It’s creation has meant there’s now separation between judiciary and legislature
-Is politically neutral
What’s a failure with the Supreme Court?
-Justices unelected and unaccountable
-Supreme Court has thus undermined the people and Parliament
What’s a successful change with local devolution?
-Greater London Mayor has proven to be a strong role - with high profile mayors (Boris Johnson etc)
-PCC elections increase participation in democracy
What’s a failure with local devolution?
-Several large cities have rejected idea of mayors
-Turnout in mayoral and PCC elections often terrible (15% turn out in Middlesbrough mayoral election - 2013)
What’s a success with voting reform?
-Changes to MEP elections allow more than just traditional parties to be elected
-Voters voices heard
What’s a failure with voting reform?
No enthusiasm for voting change - AV referendum failed in 2011
What’s a success with human rights?
More visibility for minority groups due to more successful legislation
What another success to do with human rights?
Better laws about information access mean public bodies are more accountable
What’s a failure regarding human rights?
-Increased visibility may have led to rise in identity politics
-Clash between individual and collective rights
-Many FOIA requests declined
What’s another success of the Supreme Court?
UK Supreme Court’s powers have allowed for greater protection of rights
What’s another failure of the Supreme Court?
-Controversy over their role in human rights cases (E.G ruled in 2010 terror suspects can’t have assets frozen due to HRA)
What’s a success to do with national devolution?
-Worked well in Scotland and Wales, with increases in devolved powers over recent years
-Popular support for devolution increased (Wales: 50.3% 1997) (Wales 63.5% 2011)
-NI devolution helped end Troubles
What’s a failure to do with National Devolution?
-NI assembly suspended from Jan 2017 to Jan 2020 due to disagreements
-Support for devolution not increased in England
