Evaluate the view that citizens no longer feel confident that their rights in the UK are secure and established.

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Independent Judiciary
• Parliamentary Laws
• Pressure Groups

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

Rights in the UK are not secure nor established

Question 3

Disagree - Independent Judiciary - Point

Answer 3

In the UK there are multiple systems and laws in place which the people can follow if they feel as though their rights have been infringed

Question 4

Disagree - Independent Judiciary - Examples

Answer 4

• Ordinary people can call for judicial review - the 2018, Lee V. Asher case was over conflicting rights of sexual orientation and freedom of expression. Ultimately, the Court ruled with Asher
• The UK is currently part of the European Court of Human Rights which completely separate of UK Politics

Question 5

Agree - Independent Judiciary - Point

Answer 5

The UK government is currently threatening removal of important mechanism that protect rights. The government is also under no obligation to follow the rulings of the ECHR

Question 6

Agree - Independent Judiciary - Examples

Answer 6

• The Judicial Review Courts Act 2022 has made it significantly more difficult to access the Supreme Court
• In 2005, a prisoner called John Hurst went to the ECHR who ruled that the UK government could not let prisoners vote, but the government simply disregarded the result

Question 7

Disagree - Parliamentary Laws - Point

Answer 7

There are many written laws in the UK which formulate the basis for the legal rights of UK citizens

Question 8

Disagree - Parliamentary Laws - Examples

Answer 8

• The Human Rights Act of 1998 is the main Parliamentary law which establishes rights in the UK
• The Equality Act 2010 provides significant protection provisions. This is checked over by the Equality Commission

Question 9

Agree - Parliamentary Laws - Point

Answer 9

The lack of a written constitution means that rights in the UK are not secure. Thet are simple acts of Parliament which means they can be overturned by another act of Parliament

Question 10

Agree - Parliamentary Laws - Examples

Answer 10

• The Bill of Rights was introduced to Parliament in June 2022 - this act is looking to repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with less provisions
• The Snoopers Charter and Investigatory Powers Act passed during the War on Terror massively impacted people’s rights

Question 11

Disagree - Pressure Groups - Point

Answer 11

Pressure Groups have been able to use their influence to force the government into amending legislation in order to make sure it better promotes rights

Question 12

Disagree - Pressure Groups - Examples

Answer 12

• After massive Kill the Bill protests and pressure from groups such as Amnesty International, the government amended the policing bill so that it was now required the Home Secretary conduct a review after 2 years
• Big Brother Watch opposed the Covid Act 2020. Their campaign has made sure that most covid legislation is now reversed

Question 13

Agree - Pressure Groups - Point

Answer 13

The government is still able to pass legislation which many pressure groups oppose and arguably infringes on the rights of British citizens

Question 14

Agree - Pressure Groups - Examples

Answer 14

• The government’s Policing Bill was still passed, despite vast opposition, on 28 April 2022
• Boris Johnson was still able to pass the Covid Act 2020 which took away many fundamental rights including freedom of movement and freedom of assembly