CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM SINCE 1997:
1. Decentralisation – devolution
2. Enhance and embed citizens’ rights – HRA, FOI. Conservatives want ‘British Bill of
Rights and Responsibilities’
3. Modernisation and judicial independence – constitutional reform act 2005 creation of
the Supreme court. Miller vs Secretary of State for exiting the EU 2017 – no higher
court of appeal.
4. Democratisation – electoral reform and house of lords reform 1999 (1300-669, 92
hereditary peers) and 2014 Lords reform (Lord Steel – resignation, retirement, criminal
record)
DEVOLUTION:
1997 Labour referendums: Scotland voted for 74%, Wales voted for 50%
Quasi-federalism? – not unitary, the threat of independence and the imbalance of
political power sharing.
The central governments sovereignty is restricted by the permanent transfer of power
to 3 constituent parts of the UK
SCOTLAND: WALES:
Scotland Act 1998: primary legislation (local Wales Act 1998: secondary
govt, housing, environment, education and legislation – education,
healthcare), income tax varying powers 3p in health, transport and
the £ agriculture.
First to ban smoking, free tuition fees Wales Act 2017: limited
Reserved powers – foreign policy, defence, primary legislative powers –
immigration, monetary policy. 10p in the £
2014 Indy ref: 44.7% said yes Cultural affinity and heritage
Smith Commission formed the basis of the – obligatory to study Welsh at
Scotland Act 2016 – 10p in the £, determining GCSE level.
abortion laws and speed limits.
Nationalism is a stronger movement, history of
being a separate state with developed
institutions.
West Lothian question.
NORTHERN IRELAND: ENGLAND:
Given its own parliament in 1972 2000 – greater London
Good Friday Agreement 1998: fairly represent assembly and elected London
unionist and nationalist sentiment – the troubles. mayor – FPTP
Devolution is inseparable from the peace 2004 – referendum for a
process north east England assembly
A devolved assembly would stop sectarian – 78% voted no
violence EVEL – English parliament
Largest party = 1st minister Regional devolution: metro
Corporation Tax Act 2015 – can set their own mayors in Manchester and
corporation tax Liverpool which have
St Andrews Agreement 2006 – Westminster increased control over
cannot suspend the assembly. budgets
24 months Stormont was not working – only Birmingham Mayor – Andy
came back on the 3rd Feb 2024 Street said they were
effectively bankrupt (Sept
2023)
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM 2010-15:
The Wright Reforms: increasing the role of backbenchers 2010
Recall of MPs Act 2015: 10% of constituents. Scott Benton Blackpool south 2024 – 35
suspension from the house, petition terminated due to resignation.
Police and Crime Commissioners – East Grinstead 27% turnout
More elected mayors
Fixed term parliaments act 2011: largely so that coalitions had a long term
commitment to work together, parliament can have a general election if 2/3rds of MPs
support it (Theresa May 2 yrs), since 2022 it has now been repealed.
AV referendum 2011: 68% said no – ‘miserable little compromise’ – Nick Clegg ‘Yes’
1. Decentralisation – devolution
2. Enhance and embed citizens’ rights – HRA, FOI. Conservatives want ‘British Bill of
Rights and Responsibilities’
3. Modernisation and judicial independence – constitutional reform act 2005 creation of
the Supreme court. Miller vs Secretary of State for exiting the EU 2017 – no higher
court of appeal.
4. Democratisation – electoral reform and house of lords reform 1999 (1300-669, 92
hereditary peers) and 2014 Lords reform (Lord Steel – resignation, retirement, criminal
record)
DEVOLUTION:
1997 Labour referendums: Scotland voted for 74%, Wales voted for 50%
Quasi-federalism? – not unitary, the threat of independence and the imbalance of
political power sharing.
The central governments sovereignty is restricted by the permanent transfer of power
to 3 constituent parts of the UK
SCOTLAND: WALES:
Scotland Act 1998: primary legislation (local Wales Act 1998: secondary
govt, housing, environment, education and legislation – education,
healthcare), income tax varying powers 3p in health, transport and
the £ agriculture.
First to ban smoking, free tuition fees Wales Act 2017: limited
Reserved powers – foreign policy, defence, primary legislative powers –
immigration, monetary policy. 10p in the £
2014 Indy ref: 44.7% said yes Cultural affinity and heritage
Smith Commission formed the basis of the – obligatory to study Welsh at
Scotland Act 2016 – 10p in the £, determining GCSE level.
abortion laws and speed limits.
Nationalism is a stronger movement, history of
being a separate state with developed
institutions.
West Lothian question.
NORTHERN IRELAND: ENGLAND:
Given its own parliament in 1972 2000 – greater London
Good Friday Agreement 1998: fairly represent assembly and elected London
unionist and nationalist sentiment – the troubles. mayor – FPTP
Devolution is inseparable from the peace 2004 – referendum for a
process north east England assembly
A devolved assembly would stop sectarian – 78% voted no
violence EVEL – English parliament
Largest party = 1st minister Regional devolution: metro
Corporation Tax Act 2015 – can set their own mayors in Manchester and
corporation tax Liverpool which have
St Andrews Agreement 2006 – Westminster increased control over
cannot suspend the assembly. budgets
24 months Stormont was not working – only Birmingham Mayor – Andy
came back on the 3rd Feb 2024 Street said they were
effectively bankrupt (Sept
2023)
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM 2010-15:
The Wright Reforms: increasing the role of backbenchers 2010
Recall of MPs Act 2015: 10% of constituents. Scott Benton Blackpool south 2024 – 35
suspension from the house, petition terminated due to resignation.
Police and Crime Commissioners – East Grinstead 27% turnout
More elected mayors
Fixed term parliaments act 2011: largely so that coalitions had a long term
commitment to work together, parliament can have a general election if 2/3rds of MPs
support it (Theresa May 2 yrs), since 2022 it has now been repealed.
AV referendum 2011: 68% said no – ‘miserable little compromise’ – Nick Clegg ‘Yes’
