Constitutional Reform

Question 1

Constitutional reform

Answer 1

Is the means by which changes are made to the way that the UK is governed

Question 2

Devolution

Answer 2

The transfer or delegation of power to a lower level especially by central government to local or regional administration

Question 3

House of Lords (red)

Answer 3

• 780 members
• 92 hereditary peers (inherited status from their family)
• Other Lords are specifically chosen by the PM due to there knowledge and expertise
• The HOLs debates new laws proposed by MPs and suggests changes, the law then goes back to the House of Commons where MPs discuss the changes
• When both houses agree on the law the Queen then approves it.

Question 4

House of Commons (green)

Answer 4

• The members of the Commons are voted for by the public.
• The country is divided into regions and each one has a Member of Parliament (MP) who represents that region.

Question 5

House of Lords act - 1992

Answer 5

• Removal of hereditary peers and their voting rights
• House of Lords act 1999 reduced the number of hereditary peers to 92 - the HOL threatened to use its powers to obstruct and delay reform.
• HOLs still remains an undemocratic body (unelected lawmakers take part in political decision making).
• Life peers are elected based on their knowledge and expertise by PM.
• Currently 814 hereditary peers although only 92 can sit in HOLs at one time.

Question 6

Devolution - the transfer of power (1997 - 78)

Answer 6

• devolved bodices were created for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland following referendums in 1997-98
• Demand for devolution in wales was always weaker and the welsh assembly did not gain comparable powers to those of the Scottish parliament

Question 7

West Lothian Question

Answer 7

The anomaly that Scottish MPs at Westminster are able to vote on purely English matters, yet English MPs have no influence over issues del loved to the Scottish parliament