Has the electoral reform been successful?
Yes No
Devolution – It was a success in Scotland and Devolution – It would not work in England as
Wales and Northern Ireland. Stormont had to be they already have Westminster so it would be
suspended by Westminster due to a breakdown unnecessary. Additionally, it was not fully
in trust which highlights one of the positives of successful in Scotland as they requested an
Westminster still having some control to act independence referendum. Also, it failed under
when they need to. Blair with his attempt at regional assembly’s.
Electoral Reform –They rejected the AV as first Electoral Reform – Major parties in Scotland and
past the post is liked and accepted by the nation Wales still dominate such as the SNP and Labour
as its simple and has a quick speed of response in Wales. This meant that smaller parties are
and it also delivers strong mandates. less represented in devolved areas and blocks
Additionally, it preserves the link between MPs them from getting seats in the HOC.
and their constituents.
House of Lords Reform – There is now an upper House of Lords Reform – There are still some
house based on merit and experience instead of hereditary peers meaning that some of the
hereditarily. The house of lords has a mandate houses are just there because of their relatives.
which holds the government and common to Typically, the hereditary peers are conservative
account. which gives them an unfair influence when it
comes to holding the government to account, as
they may not scrutinise a conservative
government as much.
The Human Rights Act – In 1998 the European The Human Rights Act – They are not
convention on human rights were enshrined entrenched meaning that the government can
into British Law which provides protection of modify the way that it operates. This means that
citizens’ rights without threatening rights aren’t as protected as it first seemed, and
parliamentary sovereignty. This means that the government have the power to change them
people are protected ted to a certain extent as they so wish without consulting the public.
with the basic human rights.
Yes No
Devolution – It was a success in Scotland and Devolution – It would not work in England as
Wales and Northern Ireland. Stormont had to be they already have Westminster so it would be
suspended by Westminster due to a breakdown unnecessary. Additionally, it was not fully
in trust which highlights one of the positives of successful in Scotland as they requested an
Westminster still having some control to act independence referendum. Also, it failed under
when they need to. Blair with his attempt at regional assembly’s.
Electoral Reform –They rejected the AV as first Electoral Reform – Major parties in Scotland and
past the post is liked and accepted by the nation Wales still dominate such as the SNP and Labour
as its simple and has a quick speed of response in Wales. This meant that smaller parties are
and it also delivers strong mandates. less represented in devolved areas and blocks
Additionally, it preserves the link between MPs them from getting seats in the HOC.
and their constituents.
House of Lords Reform – There is now an upper House of Lords Reform – There are still some
house based on merit and experience instead of hereditary peers meaning that some of the
hereditarily. The house of lords has a mandate houses are just there because of their relatives.
which holds the government and common to Typically, the hereditary peers are conservative
account. which gives them an unfair influence when it
comes to holding the government to account, as
they may not scrutinise a conservative
government as much.
The Human Rights Act – In 1998 the European The Human Rights Act – They are not
convention on human rights were enshrined entrenched meaning that the government can
into British Law which provides protection of modify the way that it operates. This means that
citizens’ rights without threatening rights aren’t as protected as it first seemed, and
parliamentary sovereignty. This means that the government have the power to change them
people are protected ted to a certain extent as they so wish without consulting the public.
with the basic human rights.
