The Constitution 1.3 and 1.4 Flashcards
What change happened in 2000?
Local Government Act 2000 introduced directly elected mayors, with 53 referendums having taken place using SV, every four years
What policy areas do elected mayors control + example?
Policing, transport and economic development
First mayor Ken Livingstone introduced a congestion charge in London
How many elected mayors were there in 2015?
As of 2015, there were 16 urban areas with elected mayor model
EG Bristol, Liverpool, Greater Manchester
Example of devolution in England:
Blair attempted to create elected regional assemblies in North-East, North-West and Yorkshire and the Humber but failed to win support
Referendum in North-East resulted in a 78% no in 2004
What did the coalition government establish?
They scrapped Labour’s Regional Development Agencies and created a directly elected ‘metro mayor’ to drive regional growth and transport links
EG Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
EG Greater Manchester
EG Sheffield
Where has the most extensive devolution taken place?
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
What are ‘reserved powers’?
Reserved powers are policy areas that Westminster has retained
Examples of reserved powers:
- Defence
- Foreign policy
- Constitutional matters
- Welfare benefits
- Trade, currency and interest rates
Which devolved body got the most devolved power?
Scotland as it had a strong nationalist movement
even before devolution it had distinctive institutions such as different educational systems
Why was the creation of devolution in NI so important?
Creation of a power-sharing government was seen as critical to restoring peace between unionists and republicans
Describe why Wales had limited devolved powers:
Nationalism was politically weaker and more concerned with protecting cultural identity than winning independence
Describe the Scottish parliament:
Established in Edinburgh in 1999
Consists of 129 MSPs elected every 4 years using AMS
What are the main devolved powers exercised by Scottish parliament
• Housing • Justice • Police and fire services • Health and social services • Agriculture, fisheries and forestry • Tourism, sport and culture • Education • Economic development • Environment and planning • Local government • Some aspects of transport policy (Scottish government was also allowed to vary income tax by 3p above or below UK rate however this power has never been used)
Notable social policy powers the Scotland have exercised:
- Free tuition fees for Scottish students
- Free nursing care for the elderly
- Ending the right of council tenants to buy their own home
What was the Calman Commission?
A commission established in 2012 set up under Brown’s government
In 2012 it led to additional powers being granted to Scotland
What powers did the Calman Commission grant?
- Taxation powers including the right to set a Scottish income tax rate and control of stamp duty and landfill tax
- Borrowing powers
- Regulation of air weapons
- Drink driving alcohol limits
What was the Smith Commission?
A commission established by Cameron in the event of a ‘No’ vote in the 214 Scottish Independence referendum that gave extra powers to Scotland
What powers did the Smith Commission grant?
In 2015-2016 powers such as:
• Control over air passenger duty
• Licensing of onshore oil and gas prospecting
• Some welfare benefits
Describe the Welsh Assembly:
Based in Cardiff
60 Assembly Members are elected through AMS
What is the role of the Welsh Assembly?
Represent Welsh people, make laws on areas devolved to Wales and hold the Welsh government accountable
What occurred to Welsh Assembly in 2006?
The Welsh government formally separated from the Assembly
What are the devolved powers in Wales?
- Health
- Local government
- Fire and rescue services
- Agriculture, fisheries and forestry’s
- Planning ( except major energy infrastructure)
- Culture (including the Welsh language) and sport
- Education and training
- Economic development
- Environment
- Housing
- Transport
What areas have not been devolved to Wales, that have been to Scotland:
Police and justice are not devolved
Welsh Assembly has not gained powers over income tax and borrowing
What led to the establishment of a NI assembly?
Following the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 which aimed to bring the two main communities in the province together; the unionists (Protestants) who wanted to stay in the UK, and the nationalists and republicans (Catholics) who wanted to see a united, independent Ireland
Describe the NI Assembly:
Located in Belfast
Consists of 90 MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) elected by STV
Why is STV used in Northern Ireland Assembly?
STV is a highly proportional voting system which ensures both sides are represented leading to a power-sharing govt
Why has NI Assembly been suspended + why?
A breakdown of trust between the Unionist and republican groups.
Eg. In 2002-2007, there was a 5-year suspension period
Eg. More recently suspended in 2017-2020
Who is First minister of NI?
Paul Givan (DUP) resigned at start of 2022, which means deputy First minister Michelle O’Neill also resigns Currently vacant
What transferred matters can the NI Assembly legislate on?
- Welfare and pensions
- Education
- Economic development
- Transport
- Housing
- Environment and planning
- Culture and sport
- Agriculture
- Justice and policing
- Health and social serves
- Local govt.
- Employment and skills
In what areas could there be further reform?
Devolution Electoral reform House of Lords reform British Bill of Rights Codified constitution
Why should devolution be reformed?
Devolution settlement is uneven in different parts of the UK
England has not been granted devolved powers
Why should there be electoral reform?
FPTP under-represents small parties and is not proportional
Why should there be reform to the House of Lords?
The Lords lacks democratic legitimacy as members are unelected
Why should the Lords not be reformed?
- Appointed aspect allows the ‘revising chamber’ to scrutinise work of committees – aided by experts in every field
- In case of dispute Commons always prevails as it contains democratic legitimacy so does not matter if Lords is unelected
- Both chambers being elected could cause gridlock as both seeking to claim a democratic mandate
Why should there be a British Bill of Rights?
Argument that HRA is too weak currently – judges can’t strike down laws, simple majority vote could remove the HRA
