Constitutional Reform Since 1997 Flashcards
Reforms that enchance democracy
House of Lords reform 1999: took away power from the most undemocratic elelement of the HoL, the hereditary peers
Elctoral reform: intordicyed proportional representation in all devolved assemblies leading to much fairer representation of the people views
Recall: the 2015 Act introduced a process by which an MP can be their constituency to face a by-election
Reforms in the HoC: The Wright Reforms redistributed power to backbenchers
English votes for english laws (EVEL): that laws concerning England only have a greater input from MPs representing English constituencies
Reforms that decentralise power
Devolution: devolved powers put local representatives in charge of local issues
Exiting the EU: returned all decision-making powers back to Parl who are directly accountable to the British people
Elected mayors: gave power over large areas to locally elected mayors
Police and crime commissioners: elected representatives who are responsible for the efficent and effective policing of an area
Reforms that enchance rights
Human Rights Act 1998: made the European convention of human rights law accessible in UK courts making it easier for UK citixens to access the rights
Freedom of information Act 2000: provided poublic access to documents held by public authorities
Reforms that modernise the system
Fixed-term Parliament Act 2011: fixed the dates of UK general elctions to once every five years to reduce the PMs prerogative power
Constitutional Reform Act 2005: established the Supreme court in place of the Law Lords and seperated the role of Lord Chancellor into 3 seperate roles and people
