The Developments Of The Constitution Since 1997 Flashcards
What did the former prime minister, Tony Blair, say about the constitution in 1997?
That the constitution was in need of reform and that too much power was held in Westminster, and that people’s rights were insufficiently protected
What was Tony Blair’s constitutional reform programme focused on?
Decentralisation
Democratisation
Transparency
Rights protection
How was decentralisation involved in Tony Blair’s 1997 constitutional reform programme?
Scotland and Wales were offered their own governments
Towns and cities were allowed to elect their own mayors
How was democratisation involved in Tony Blair’s 1997 constitutional reform programme?
The public were given more influence over decision-making
(More referendums on constitutional issues and reforming the House of Lords)
How was transparency involved in Tony Blair’s 1997 constitutional reform programme?
To increase trust in the government…
The senior judiciary’s role would be reformed
A Freedom of Information Act would make the government more accountable to the public
How was rights protection involved in Tony Blair’s 1997 constitutional reform programme?
The government incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into British law
(No rights protection in the 🇬🇧 constitution)
What happened to reform the constitution during the 2010-2015 coalition government?
Prime Minister David Cameron created the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011, which gave the government more stability and made it harder for the government to call a general election at a time they would be likely to win.
A Parliamentary Backbench Committee was established so backbench MPs would have more control over the topics debated in Parliament.
Electronic petitions were introduced.
The Recall of MPs Act was passed in 2015.
List the impacts on the constitution of the Conservative governments from 2015 onwards.
The Scotland Act 2016 gave Scotland more devolved powers.
The Brexit referendum happened in 2016.
Elected mayors were introduced.
A Legislative Grand Committee was established which needs to agree to all legislation only affecting England. (English Votes For English Laws)
