Reforms 2010-Present Flashcards
How did the Coalition reform the election cycle in the UK? When? - Reforms (2010-Present)
The coalition passed the Fixed Term Parliaments Act in 2011, which dictates that the maximum length of any parliament is 5 years and sets the date for the next election automatically.
What power did the Fixed Term Parliaments Act remove from the PM? How can the 5 year limit be changed? - Reforms (2010-Present)
The Fixed Term Parliaments Act removed the prerogative power of the PM whereby they could decide the date of the next election to suit them. If a 2/3 majority of Parliament decides votes on an election being called or 2 votes of no confidence in a short period.
How did the Coalition reform the operation of select committees to improve democracy? - Reforms (2010-Present)
Made it so that chairs of select committees would be chosen by MPs rather than by party leaders and that additional salaries would be given to these chairs.
What areas of disagreement existed between the Conservatives and Lib Dems in terms of the electoral system and process? - Reforms (2010-Present)
Reform of the House of Lords was blocked when brought to a parliamentary vote by rebel Tory MPs. Lib Dems blocked reform of electoral boundaries. Conservatives opposed electoral reform (from FPTP).
How did the coalition propose reform of the electoral SYSTEM? What was the outcome of this proposal? - Reforms (2010-Present)
Lib Dems forced a referendum on the electoral system in 2011, proposing a change from FPTP to alternative vote.
Resulted in 68% of those turning out opposing the reform, a crushing blow to the Lib Dems’ hopes of changing UK democracy.
What disagreement existed between the Conservatives and the Lib Dems on the issue of human rights? - Reforms (2010-Present)
The Conservatives wanted to remove the ECHR from the UK Constitution and replace it with a British Bill of Rights, whereas the Lib Dems wanted the retention of the ECHR.
How did the Coalition reform devolution in Wales? - Reforms (2010-Present)
A referendum in Wales succeeded in the passing of further devolution to Wales. This gave the Welsh Assembly LEGISLATIVE powers over 20 devolved areas.
How did the Coalition reform devolution in Scotland with the FIRST Conservative Scotland Act? - Reforms (2010-Present)
2012 Scotland Act was passed, which granted borrowing powers, the right to partially alter income tax rates up or down, powers over land fill tax and stamp duty, greater legislative powers.
How did the Coalition create a public decision over Scotland’s future? - Reforms (2010-Present)
In 2014, IndyRef was held in Scotland over whether it would become independent from the UK. Received a 55% vote in favour of REMAINING in the Union, and the will of the people was implemented.
In response to IndyRef, how did the Conservatives develop devolution in Scotland? - Reforms (2010-Present)
The Conservatives passed the Scotland Act 2016 which further devolved powers, also making it so that Scottish 16/17 year olds could vote in Scottish Elections.
How did the Conservatives alter voting on English issues? - Reforms (2010-Present)
The Conservatives introduced EVEL, a set of conventions which rules that only English MPs should have votes on issues which only only affect England rather than allowing Scottish and NIR MPs to vote on them as well.
How did the Coalition reform local government? - Reforms (2010-Present)
The Coalition abolished regional development centres, although did introduce elected city mayors with devolved powers in areas such as Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool.
How did the Conservatives reform the constitution through the UK’s relations with the EU? - Reforms (2010-Present)
Following the EU referendum of 2016, the EU Notification of Withdrawal Act was passed in 2017, which began the process of the UK Leaving the EU and changed our relationship with our largest trading partner.
When was the Recall of MPs Act introduced? What did this determine? - Devolution
The Recall of MPs Act was introduced in 2015, allowing an MP to be removed if 10% of constituents vote to do so and a by election votes them out of office.
What does the 2014 House of Lords Act achieve? - Devolution
The 2014 House of Lords Act allows peers to retire from their roles, as well as allows any peers who do not attend within a whole session to be excluded from their roles. Also applies to anyone receiving a jail sentence.
