Issues And Debates Surrounding Constitutional Changes Flashcards
Who proposed reforms to the British constitution
-1994 speech to lab party conference party leader Blair promised the ‘biggest programme of change to democracy ever proposed’
-when elected by landslide 1997 he delivers what promised with 12 constitutional bills introduced
What were the main themes of his reforms
-modernisation
-greater democracy
-devolution of many powers away from the centre
Who else proposed changes to the constitution
-David Cameron in 2010-15 coalition gov with a more modest programme of changes
What did Cameron’s new measures include
-modernisation of political institutions
-greater democracy
-est of devolved legislative bodies in constituent countries
-adoption of HR act
-introduction of freedom of information act
What was the modernisation of political institutions by both Blair and Cameron
-house of lords act 1999
-constitutional reform act 2005
-succession to the crown act 2013
What was the House of Lords act 1999 by Blair
-removed from the lords all buy 92 hereditary peers allowing introduction of more nominated life peers
-this included ‘peoples peers’
-didn’t allow ,embers to be elected to the lords
What was the constitutional reform act 2005 by Blair
-created separate SC becoming highest court of the land
-replacing law lords who sat in the lords
-this generated greater judicial independence + separation of powers
What was the succession to the crown act 2013 from Cameron
-enabled eldest child if the monarch to ascend to the throne irrespective of gender
-but only applied to royal offspring born from oct 2011
-allowed an heir who married Roman Catholic to retain right of succession
How was greater democracy in the political system added by both Blair and Cameron
-referendums (Scotland + wales) act 1997
-grater london authority act 1999
-police reform + social responsibility act 2011
What was the referendum act 1997 by Blair
-allowed referendums held in Scotland + wales over devolved assemblies
-‘yes’ votes in both meaning devolution took place
What was the Greater London authority act of 1999 by Blair
-allowed the setting up of a directly elected mayor of london
-local gov act 2000 contained provisions for elected mayors in other cities following local referendums
-e.g. Boris Johnson elected mayor of london 2008
What was the police reform + social responsibility act of 2011 by Cameron
-allowed for direct election of police commissioners
-first ones taking place in 2012
What did Blair and Cameron do to human rights
-human rights act 1998
-protection of freedoms act 2012
What was the human rights act 1998 by Blair
-incorporation ECHR into UK law
-enabled UK flirts to take ECHR into account when judging cases sharply reducing cases referred to ECHR
What was the protection of freedoms act 2012 by Cameron
-offered citizens greater protection from the state by enhancing scrutiny of security services incl MI5 + MI6
What were the successes of the reforms regrading the modernisation of political institutions
-HOL undergone substantial transformation since 1997
-its smaller, more diverse, less cons dominated + easier remove peers for misconduct e.g. earl of Wessex 1999
-creation SC enabled clear separation between executive + judiciary — politically neutral
What were failures of the modernisation of political institutions
-HOL reform remains incomplete - attempts build on 1999 measure in 2012 come to nothing with UK remaining unique by having completely unelected second chamber
-creation independent SC led to too much power residing with unelected, unaccountable justices undermining parl
What are the successes of human rights changes
-renewed emphasis on + landmark legislation on HR increased awareness + visibility of rights especially those of minorities
-laws on privacy + access to info have enhanced rights of everyone + made powerful institutions like employers more accountable for info they hold
What are the failures of human rights reforms
-expansion of rights led to rise of ‘identity politics’ (people of races, religion, etc. campaigning on issues + moving away from broad-based party politics) + clash between individual rights + collective rights
-many requests for info are denied e.g. July to Sept 2020 35% denied in full + remainder answered in part
What are the successes regarding the reforms made to devolution
-popular support for devolution increased - 1997 wales backed it by slim margins of around 50% but 2011 vote to expand law making powers had 63%
-devolution process in NI although problematic has helped to end ‘the troubles’ e.g. with thatcher
What are the failures regarding devolution reforms
-not successes everywhere - NI policy disagreements + scandal over failed renewable energy scheme meant the assembly suspended jan 2017 to Jan 2020
-support for devolution in England not increased - 2004 proposal to create North East Regional assembly rejected by 78%
