the coalition government

Question 1

what was the coalition govs aims

Answer 1

-decentralise gov
-more power to backbenchers
-further devolution
-electoral reform

Question 2

what did the coalition gov do with Fixed term parliament act

Answer 2

-usually PM decides date election=difficult for coalition PM =Act=should be 5 years after last election=provided gov greater stability =made it more difficult to call snap election
-However sig of change minimal as=can call election if they loose vote no confidence =2017=May did it using parliaments consent =522-13
repealed 2022 made the max stay of gov 5 years

Question 3

in terms electoral reform

Answer 3

had to due to coalition
-had AV ref =Lib Dems campaigned poorly =Cameron suggested AV too complicated =turnout of just 42%=antipathy=68% FPTP staying =put back the case for changing FPTP

Question 4

in terms of parliamentary reform

Answer 4

giving backbench MP’s more influence and addressing gov dominance of HOC
-Parliamentary backbench committee was set up=more control of debate
-membership of select committees would no longer be determined by whips. Instead they would be elected by MP secret ballot=increased sc LEGITIMACY made them better scrutiny
-set up e petitions=if it reaches 100,000 signatures its likely to be debated

Question 5

in terms devolution

Answer 5

-like Blair keen to decentralise power in order to bring decision making closer to public
-in 2011 ref=Wales voted in favour of its assembly being given primary leg powers in some areas. =wales act
further powers given to Scotland=authority to borrow 5 billion and right to vary income tax by 10p

Question 6

in terms of the power of recall

Answer 6

-to help restore trust=make MP more accountable by allowing constituents to demand by-election if MP sentenced to prison or suspended from HOC for more than 21 days 10% constituents must sign it
-Margaret Ferrier (Ruthergerian and Hamilton West) – July 2023
took covid test but travelled whilst awaiting answer It took until March 2023 for the Standards Committee to complete an investigation and recommend a 30 day suspension. Following this, a recall petition was opened in which 14.6% of her constituents called for her rec
all. As such, a by-election will take place.
https://politicsteaching.com/2022/04/23/how-significant-is-the-power-of-recall-in-the-uk-2/

Question 7

what did the conservative gov of 2015 do

Answer 7

2014 =promised powers to scotland + ref on the EU =due to political circumstances
-constitutional reforms =Elected mayors introduced without refs in Manchester west midlands =metromayors=extensive powers covering hosuing welfare and transport
examples of why these are good
-2023 Manchester has first public owned transport system bee network =allows cheaper buses for people=powerful conduits of local issues and knowledge
-prominent in central gov with lockdown in local areas
bad
-high salaries and staff=extra cost=just another level of government
-Andy Burnham unable to convince gov during lockdown

-addressed West Lothian question with evel =refer to other flashcards on pros and cons of this

Question 8

elected police commissioners 2010 coalition

Answer 8

-decentralisation =elected police commissioners=accountable for regional policing
turnout is so low that there is an argument that they lack the democratic mandate to legitimately carry out their functions =Durham constituency=17.1% lowest national turnout But its critics fear commissioners will politicise one of our most vital services - with commissioners interfering in policing for their own electoral gain. They are worried that it could also increase the risk of corruption
just another layer of gov