The Constitution Flashcards
What is devolution?
- the dispersal of power, but not sovereignty, within a political system
- sovereignty, or ultimate legal power, remains with Westminster and Parliament
What is the role of devolution in England?
-to oversee policing, transport, housing, and economic development
Why does Northern Ireland have devolved powers?
-had a violent past so it creates a power-sharing form of government which is critical to restoring peace
What are the ‘‘reserved powers’’?
- belong to Westminister
- defense, foreign policy, constitutional matters, welfare benefits, economic policy
Why does Scotland have devolved powers?
-has a strong nationalist movement so the Scottish parliament has more powers
Why does Wales have devolved powers?
-concerned with protecting cultural identity than independence or nationalism
How is the Scottish Parliament elected?
- AMS every 4 years
- 129 MSPs
What does the Scottish Parliament do?
- devises and implements policy on matters devolved to Scotland
- proposes an annual budget to the parliament
What are Scotland’s main devolved powers?
-education, environment, transport, housing, tourism
What powers was Scotland granted in 2012 by Brown’s government?
-tax, borrowing, regulation of air weapons, alcohol limits
What is the Smith Commission?
-granted Scotland powers to control over air passenger duty, oil, gas, and welfare benefits
Why should English cities be given more independent powers?
- demands can be met more accurately
- one size fits all government doesn’t always work
- the UK is too London centered
- can boost local democracy
Why shouldn’t English cities be given more independent powers?
- areas will become more unequal
- prevention of irresponsible spending
- turnout will be low
- unity may be jeopardized
How is the Welsh Assembly elected?
- 60 members
- AMS
What are some of the Welsh devolved powers?
-health, local government , transport, housing, education
What powers does Scotland have but Wales does not?
-income tax and borrowing
How is the Northern Ireland assembley elected?
- STV
- 90 members
What are some of Northern Ireland devolved powers?
-education, welfare, justice, housing, transport
What are the normally ‘reserved powers’ that Northern Ireland can legislate?
-financial services, broadcasting, consumer safety and firearms
What constitutional reforms have taken place since 1997?
-devolution, electoral, house of lords, human rights
How should devolution be further reformed?
- to satisfy needs and wants of local people
- devolution is uneven
- a federal solution mat create greater unity
How should elections be further reforms?
- produce more proportional results
- failure of AV suggests no public interest
- a more proportional system?
Should the house of Lord’s be reformed?
- become an elected house?
- lacks democratic legitimacy
How have human rights been reformed?
- human rights act 1998
- british bill of rights?
Why is there no more reforms needed?
- citizens are protected, provides a clear strong election
- clear agreement on what needs to happen
Why is reform needed?
- current settlement is incomplete and ilogical
- federal solution could remove annomalies
- citizens need greater clarity
What are the arguements for extended devolution in England?
- england is the most prosperous andheavilty populated but is the only one without a resolved body
- ‘EVEl’ makes Scottish MPs second-class representatives
- devolution meets different needs and england needs that
- lots of different identities that needs representation
What are agruements against extented devolution in England?
- england is already dominant
- people see Westminister as their parliament
- Blair’s proposals were defeated as their isn’t a strong enough identity
What are the arguements for a codified constitutions?
- educate the public
- reduce the chnaces of a government pushing through bad bills
- stronger and more clarity human rights
- increase legitimacy
What are the arguements against a codified constitution?
- no public demand for change
- constitution now is flexible
- decisions can be easily changed
- few codified constitutions provide clear guidance
