Constitution Flashcards
what is a unitary state
Unitary state- central govt that holds sovereignty
what is the west laothian question
English votes for english laws, scorland allowed to vote on things that concern the uk because there is no regional govt- EVEL
what is the barnett formula
Barnett formula- budgets for devolved regions , unequal funding of devolved powers -spending is 15-25%higher in all the devolved regions compared to england, per head - cost to keep the union strong
What was the outcome of the referendum on the Northeast regional assembly 2004?
Northeast regional referendum -78% rejected, 48%- no devolution, not wanted by the population, no interest in english devolution- its gone far enough
should there be an english parliament
84% of british population live in england- english parliament would compete with westminster
what is the average turnout for metro mayors
30%
what mayor is being removed/abolished
Bristol
what region has no policing power
wales
what is the sewel convention
Sewel convention- cant rule on devolved matters, reserved powers
How has section 35 of the Scotland ACT (1998) been recently used?
Section 35 of scotland ACT (1998)- gender recognition reform bill in scotland
what policy area is different across devolved regions
Education differs across devolved regions, prescriptions , housing , scotland- extended care for the elderly, different voting system and voting at 16
problems with devolution in northern ireland
Northern Ireland assembly still dominated by Westminster: dissolved on multiple occasions, eg. 2002-2007, 2022-2024
what electoral systems are used in each devolved region
Different sets of electoral systems used: Scotland, Wales and Greater London Authority = AMS; Northern Ireland = STV; mayoral elections (until 2021) - SV
turnout in mayoral elections
The turnout of mayoral election is low - showing that people are not bothered to have a mayor in their local area (low public support and legitimacy)
London: 2024 - 40.5%; 2021 - 42.2%; 2016 - 45.3%; 2012 - 38.1%
Manchester: 2024 - 32%; 2021 - 34.7%; 2017 - 28.9%
West Midlands: 2024 - 29.8%; 2021 - 31.2%; 2017 - 26.7%
what pieces of legisaltion have advanced rights
2000 Freedom of Information Act - Provides public access to information held by public authorities
Infected Blood inquiry Scandal, the government and the NHS hid from the public about infected blood given to patients, giving the HIV and Hepatitis C, causing many deaths
2010 Equality Act - Protects people from discrimination in the workforce & in wider society
2013: Marriage (Same-Sex) Couples Act - same-sex couple marriages are legal in all parts of Britain
what legislation has infringed on rights in the uk/the ability for rights to be protected
2016 Investigatory Powers Act - Gave greater surveillance and data access powers to police
2022 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act - gave police greater powers around protests and criminalises one person protests
2023 Public Order Act - Gave police further powers to prevent protest tactics deemed “disruptive” such as those used by climate protestors (e.g. “locking-on”, disrupting national infrastructure such as roads). Both the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Amnesty International criticised the act.
