How adequate are the main constitutional reforms introduced since 1997 and to what extent should they be taken further?

Question 1

Devolution advantages

Answer 1

• Policies can be made that meet needs of people at local level - Scotland felt ignored by Major Gov
• NI = end violence between unionists and republicans by creating a power-sharing system

Question 2

Devolution disadvantages

Answer 2

• Since Brexit ref, Scotland wants to be independent again, wishes ignored
• Devolved powers unfairly spread across constituent parts (but depends on how much power each constituent want - welsh didn’t want a lot so didn’t get a lot, opposite for scotland)
• Brought up the West Lothian question

Question 3

Electoral reform advantages

Answer 3

• More proportional results in Scotland (AMS), Wales (AMS) and North Ireland elections (STV), more democratic
• In 2011 rejection of AV showed no need to reform, people accept electoral system, could bring in advantages of FPTP and keeping FPTP

Question 4

Electoral reform disadvantages

Answer 4

• Under-representation of smaller parties in UK, could bring in disadvantages of FPTP

Question 5

HoL Reform advantages

Answer 5

• Based more on merit/experience
• ^ Leads to greater assertiveness in holding gov to account
• Good thing elected chamber idea from Lib Dems was rejected because would reduce range of expertise

Question 6

HoL Reform disadvantages

Answer 6

• Lacks democratic legitimacy as no one is elected, doesn’t reflect modern Britain

Question 7

Human Rights Act advantages

Answer 7

• Protection of citizens’ rights

- Act not entrenched so gov can amend way it operates, parliamentary sovereignty (creation of control orders 2005)

Question 8

Human Rights Act disadvantages

Answer 8

• To avoid parliamentary sovereignty the HRA should be strengthened as government can take away liberties through a majority vote in parliament, and supreme court has power to suggest if HRA needs changing
• Conservatives still want to further reform this by replacing with British Bill of Rights (suggested in Con Manifesto 2019) to make UK Supreme Court the superior judge of citizens’ rights rather than the European Convention