Constitutional reforms under the Coalition, 2010-15

Question 1

What prevented reforms during Gordon Brown’s tenure?

Answer 1

the government of Gordon Brown (2007-10) was so preoccupied with confronting the global economic crisis that it did not introduce any further major constitutional reforms

Question 2

What made the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition (2010-15) stand out?

Answer 2

• well known for reforming the constitution further
• Cameron was more progressive than former Tory leaders

Question 3

What supported Cameron’s coalition?

Answer 3

Cameron had to make constitutional reform a priority if he wanted to bring in the Lib Dems; he was committed to updating the constitution into coalition government

Question 4

Roughly explain the fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011

Answer 4

• a major royal prerogative power of the prime minister has traditionally been deciding the date of a general election; This would have been a highly contentious decision for a coalition prime minister & so the Fixed-term Parliaments Act legislated that a general election should be held exactly 5 years after the last general election
• as well as providing the government with greater stability, the Act made it more difficult for a prime minister to call a snap general election for political advantage at a time of their choosing

Question 5

Explain the nuances of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011