UK Constitution

Question 1

What are the two formal sources of the UK constitution?

Answer 1

statute law and common law

Question 2

What are the two informal sources of the constitution?

Answer 2

works of authority, conventions

Question 3

What are concerns with the UK Constitution?

Answer 3

allows centralisation of power, citizens rights aren’t guaranteed, reliance on ECtHR

Question 4

Why should the constitution be codified and entrenched?

Answer 4

clear rules, stops parliamentary sovereignty, neutral interpretation, protecting rights, education and citizenship

Question 5

Why shouldn’t the constitution be codified and entrenched?

Answer 5

Rigid, unnecessary, judicial tyranny, legalistic (vague enough to incorporate change so pointless), political bias

Question 6

Why is the UK constitution fit for purpose?

Answer 6

flexibility of change, parliament is sovereign, evolution not revolution, efficient govt

Question 7

Why isn’t the UK constitution fit for purpose?

Answer 7

lack of clarity, over centralisation, weak protection of rights, risk of elective dictatorship

Question 8

What is devolution?

Answer 8

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the central government to the sub national govt

Question 9

What were the first devolution acts?

Answer 9

Scotland Act, Govt of Wales Act, NI Act 1998

Question 10

What is asymmetrical devolution?

Answer 10

Where the devolution of powers from central to subnational governments is not uniform, and the powers devolved vary from region to region

Question 11

Why should there be further devolution in England?

Answer 11

solve WLQ, equalise rep (MPs don’t have to rep national and english issues), address rise of english nationalism, metro-mayors work, challenge focus on London

Question 12

What is the West Lothian Question?

Answer 12

Why should Scottish MPs be able to vote on English matters at Westminster, when English MPs cannot vote on matters devolved to the Scottish Parliament?

Question 13

Why shouldn’t there be further devolution in England?

Answer 13

English laws are determined by the speaker, WLQ isn’t a major problem, England 84% UK, England has enough power, undermine parliamentary sovereignty, many places in England uninterested, duplicating Westminster

Question 14

Why should there be further reform to the House of Lords?

Answer 14

They’re unelected, average attendance 2022-23 397/784, 94% white 72% male

Question 15

Why shouldn’t there be further reform to the House of Lords?

Answer 15

experts in certain areas, speak their mind, 179 cross-benchers, 38 non-affiliated, 2001-2.6% ethnic minority now it’s 6%

Question 16

Why has devolution been a success?

Answer 16

brought democracy closer to the people, devolved assemblies are very popular, secured peace in NI, metro mayors led to greater regional identity, Welsh interest increased

Question 17

Why hasn’t devolution been a success?

Answer 17

dramatically increased want for Scottish independence, differing powers is confusing, NI govt suspended multiple times, interest in metro mayors low, England short-changed

Question 18

What are the positives of metro mayors?

Answer 18

can focus on economic development, work cross party with other mayors and govt, provide local solutions, figurehead for local issues, improved local democracy/accountability

Question 19

What are the negatives of metro mayors?

Answer 19

power distributed asymmetrically, turnout at some is poor, not in all areas of England, limited power and budgets

Question 20

What reforms did Labour introduce?

Answer 20

devolution, electoral reform, referendums, HRA, FOI Act, HoL reform, judicial reform

Question 21

What reforms did the coalition government introduce?

Answer 21

fixed term parliaments act (repealed), Wright reforms, further Welsh and Scottish devolution, PCCs, recall of MPs

Question 22

What reforms did the Conservative government 2015-19 introduce?

Answer 22

english votes for english laws (repealed), metro mayors