Evaluate the extent to which constitutional reforms of 1997 to 2010 may be considered even more important than the constitutional reforms that occurred after 2010. Flashcards
Introduction - Themes
- Human Rights Reform
- Devolution
- Parliamentary Reform
Introduction - Argument
There were some major constitutional changes from 1997 to 2010, especially under Blair, however, the past 13 years of Conservative rule had led to much more impact on constitutional changes
Disagree - Human Rights Reform - Point
Under Blair, there was a massive consolidation of human rights - turning them into enforceable law. There were two major acts which where important to the establishment of right
Disagree - Human Rights Reform - Examples
- The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, and it was made binding on all public bodies
- The Freedom of Information Act 2000 was introduced to increase transparency within the government, something which had previously lacked
Agree - Human Rights Reform - Point
All the Human Rights Act did was incorporate the convention that the UK had been a member of since 1945. There have been more impactful changes to human rights since 2010
Agree - Human Rights Reform - Examples
- The Public Order Act was introduced in May 2023 and was used to curb protests by the groups Republic at the King’s coronation
- The Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill passed in April 2022 and has placed restrictions on fundamental human rights such as protesting
Disagree - Devolution - Point
From 1997 to 2010, there were massive changes to devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Disagree - Devolution - Examples
- The 2006 Government of Wales Act included provisions for further powers for 20 key areas to be transferred from Westminster to Wales
- In 1998 the Labour Government passed the Good Friday Agreement which restored Northern Ireland’s devolved powers - after years of infighting this was a major achievement
Agree - Devolution - Point
Even though the Government of Wales Act passed in 2006, it was not until 2011 that the referendum was held, and power was transferred to Wales. Devolution, especially to Wales, Scotland and England, has been much more significant
Agree - Devolution - Examples
- After the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum, there was an extension of Scottish Devolution. This gave a great deal of financial autonomy to Scotland
- The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 introduced majors - there are now 8 metro-mayors in England. The English Votes for English Laws Act passed in 2015 solved the West Lothian Question
Disagree - Parliamentary Reforms - Point
Between 1997 and 2010, there were some major constitutional reforms to how Parliament worked, both the House of Lords and House of Commons were affected
Disagree - Parliamentary Reform - Examples
- The government of 1997 wanted to radically reform the House of Lords. This led to the introduction of the House of Lords Act 1999 which reduced the number of hereditary peers to 92
- The introduction of Departmental Select Committees to the HOC was major constitutional change. The most impactful was the Backbench Business Committee established in 2010
Agree - Parliament Reforms - Point
Parliament reform continued from 2010 - the coalition government from 2010 - 2015 led major constitutional changes as this was new territory. The EU Referendum also had a massive impact
Agree - Parliamentary Refroms - Examples
- The Fixed Term Parliament Act was passed in2011 to aid the coalition, this meant that the Prime Minister’s power to call a general election when they wished was taken away
- Leaving the EU has led to huge constitutional change - sovereignty has returned to the UK and only 2,500 out of 4,000 laws are being transferred
