New Labour Reforms 1997-2010

Question 1

How did New Labour intend to to alter the House of Lords through constitutional reform? How did this fall short of proposals? - Labour Reforms

Answer 1

Labour passed the 1999 House of Lords Act which aimed to increase democracy in the unelected Lords. Decreased number of hereditary peers to 92, creating a largely appointed second chamber. Labour wished to create a fully elected/appointed chamber but had to reach a compromise with the Lords on 92.

Question 2

When was the House of Lords Act passed by Labour? - Labour Reforms

Answer 2

House of Lords Act passed in 1999.

Question 3

How did Labour aim to reform the House of Commons to improve democracy? - Labour Reforms

Answer 3

Labour reformed PMQs, creating one 30 minute weekly session compared to two 15 minute sessions a week. They established the Backbench Business Committee who were given a chance to raise legislative issues, made so select committee members were elected and chairs of select committees were elected

Question 4

How did Labour succeed in reforming the constitution to allow power sharing? What powers were shared? - Labour Reforms

Answer 4

Following election, Labour held referendums in Scotland, Wales and NIR on devolving power to these nations away from Westminster.

Question 5

When was Scotland granted devolved powers by referendum? What powers were granted to Scotland? Why was devolution needed in Scotland? - Labour Reforms

Answer 5

Scotland was granted devolved powers by referendum in 1997. Powers were granted over healthcare, university fees and limited taxation measures. Devolution needed in Scotland due to rise in nationalist sentiment.

Question 6

When were Wales granted devolved powers by referendum? What powers were granted? Why was the mandate for this debatable? - Labour Reforms

Answer 6

Wales were granted devolved powers by referendum in 1997, with these powers including power over healthcare, housing, transport, education. This was only passed by a 50.3% yes vote on a 50% turnout, so in reality only 25% of Wales voted for this, weakening its legitimacy.

Question 7

When were Northern Ireland granted devolved powers by referendum? What powers were granted? - Labour Reforms

Answer 7

Northern Ireland was granted devolved powers by referendum in 1998 (GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT). Led to creation of NIR Assembly, which had powers over health, housing, transport, education.

Question 8

When was London granted devolved powers by referendum? What powers were given to London? Why was the mandate for this debatable? - Labour Reforms

Answer 8

London was granted powers by referendum in 1998 following a referendum on whether London should have elected mayors. Granted power over transport, policing, other London-based services. London mayor/assembly only approved on a 30% turnout!

Question 9

How did Labour improve human rights through using the ECHR? When? - Labour Reforms

Answer 9

Labour incorporated the ECHR into the UK Constitution, which provided much greater protection of citizens’ rights.
Incorporated into Constitution in 1998

Question 10

What freedoms did the ECHR guarantee to citizens of the UK? What arguments are their of issues about the act’s effectiveness? - Labour Reforms

Answer 10

Freedoms to life, from slavery, of religion, of expression, of association, to fair trial, to marry, to liberty.
The ECHR is not entrenched in the UK Constitution, meaning it could be overturned or amended to discriminate against citizens.

Question 11

How did Labour improve human rights through the Data Protection Act? When was this passed? - Labour Reforms

Answer 11

The Data Protection Act aimed to make all information on an individual held by public bodies (doctors, schools, govt. etc) to be accessed by that individual.
Data Protection Act passed in 1998.

Question 12

How did Labour improve human rights through the Freedom of Information Act? When was this passed? - Labour Reforms

Answer 12

The Freedom of Information Act (passed in 2000) meant that any govt. document that was deemed necessary to be published by an independent tribunal would be published. Prevents suppression of information and increases government transparency.

Question 13

What issue was there with the Freedom of Information Act? - Labour Reforms

Answer 13

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires an outsider from government to prove that a document exists before the tribunal on information decides whether it should be released into the public domain.

Question 14

How did Labour reform the highest branch of the judiciary? What impact did this have? - Labour Reforms

Answer 14

Labour created a Supreme Court, made up of the most senior judges in the UK, to rule on important legal issues. This removed the judicial role of the HoL, whereby ‘Law Lords’ would rule on important issues. This separated the legislative and judicial branches of govt.

Question 15

When was the Supreme Court opened? - Labour Reforms

Answer 15

The Supreme Court was opened in 2009.

Question 16

How did Labour reform the office of Lord Chancellor? Why? What impacts did this have? - Labour Reforms

Answer 16

Labour removed the judicial role from the position of Lord Chancellor, who would previously have held roles in all 3 branches of government. Meant that there was no longer overlap or significant imbalance between the branches of government.

Question 17

How did Labour reform the process of deciding on constitutional reform? What examples are there of this? - Labour Reforms

Answer 17

Any constitutional reforms were put to referendum for the people who were affected by the change.
Devolution Referendums 1997/98, referendums on introduction of devolved English assemblies.

Question 18

What 3 types of powers can be devolved from central government? - Labour Reforms

Answer 18

Financial powers, administrative powers, legislative powers.

Question 19

What failures were there of regional English devolution by Labour? - Labour Reforms

Answer 19

Labour attempted to establish Regional Development Associations with similar devolved powers to devolved assemblies in home nations. However, after a referendum in the North East failed on low turnout, the additional devolution was scrapped.

Question 20

When did Labour hold a referendum in the North East on further devolution of power to there? What turnout/result? - Labour Reforms

Answer 20

In 2004, Labour held a referendum on devolving powers to the North East of England. However nearly 80% of people rejected it on a 50% turnout.

Question 21

How did Labour increase representation of views within Parliament? When did this happen? - Labour Reforms

Answer 21

Labour established the Backbench Business Committee, which was allocated time inside Parliament to decide what issues they would debate. This was introduced in 2010.

Question 22

When was the Human Rights Act passed? - Labour Reforms

Answer 22

The Human Rights Act was passed in 1998.