Evaluate The View That Citizens No Longer Feel Confident That Their Rights In The UK Are Secure And Established. Flashcards
Introduction - Themes
Independent Judiciary
Parliamentary Laws
Pressure Groups
Introduction - Argument
Rights in the UK are not secure nor established
Disagree - Independent Judiciary - Point
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
Disagree - Independent Judiciary - Examples
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
Agree - Independent Judiciary - Point
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
Agree - Independent Judiciary - Examples
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
Disagree - Parliamentary Laws - Point
There are many written laws in the UK which formulate the basis for the legal rights of UK citizens
Disagree - Parliamentary Laws - Examples
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
Agree - Parliamentary Laws - Point
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
Agree - Parliamentary Laws - Examples
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
Disagree - Pressure Groups - Point
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
Disagree - Pressure Groups - Examples
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
Agree - Pressure Groups - Point
The government is still able to pass legislation which many pressure groups oppose and arguably infringes on the rights of British citizens
Agree - Pressure Groups - Examples
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
