Constitutional reforms since 2015

Question 1

Further devolution to Scotland

Answer 1

-Smith Commission following Scottish Independence referendum set up to devolve further powers to Scotland, including gaining control over 50% of VAT, the power to set all bands and rates of income tax, welfare benefits and control over the franchise

Question 2

Brexit

Answer 2

-Following EU referendum in 2016, Britain left the European Union in 2020.
-Parliament regained sovereignty, as it was no longer beholden to the ECHR

Question 3

English votes for English laws

Answer 3

-Introduced by Conservative government in 2015, allowed English MPs to veto any legislation affecting only England, didn’t allow English Mps to make their own laws
-Wasn’t used often
-Criticized for adding unnecessary complications and not providing a viable expression for English identity, scrapped in 2021.

Question 4

Recall of MPs Act 2015

Answer 4

-Voters had no legal means between elections to remove scandalous MPs
-If an MP is imprisoned or suspendedd from the Commons for more than 21 days, a by-election is triggered if at least 10% of constituents sign a petition.
-2019 a by-election was called for MP Christopher Davies

Question 5

Rishi Sunak Section 35 Order

Answer 5

-Section 35 of Scotland Act allows the government to block a bill from a devolved body.
-2023, Sunak used this to block Scotland’s proposed gender reform bill
-Reaffirms sovereignty of the UK parliament