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Politics Paper 2 > The Constitution 1.3 and 1.4 > Flashcards

The Constitution 1.3 and 1.4 Flashcards

1
Q

What change happened in 2000?

A

Local Government Act 2000 introduced directly elected mayors, with 53 referendums having taken place using SV, every four years

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2
Q

What policy areas do elected mayors control + example?

A

Policing, transport and economic development

First mayor Ken Livingstone introduced a congestion charge in London

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3
Q

How many elected mayors were there in 2015?

A

As of 2015, there were 16 urban areas with elected mayor model
EG Bristol, Liverpool, Greater Manchester

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4
Q

Example of devolution in England:

A

Blair attempted to create elected regional assemblies in North-East, North-West and Yorkshire and the Humber but failed to win support
Referendum in North-East resulted in a 78% no in 2004

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5
Q

What did the coalition government establish?

A

They scrapped Labour’s Regional Development Agencies and created a directly elected ‘metro mayor’ to drive regional growth and transport links
EG Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
EG Greater Manchester
EG Sheffield

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6
Q

Where has the most extensive devolution taken place?

A

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

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7
Q

What are ‘reserved powers’?

A

Reserved powers are policy areas that Westminster has retained

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8
Q

Examples of reserved powers:

A
  • Defence
  • Foreign policy
  • Constitutional matters
  • Welfare benefits
  • Trade, currency and interest rates
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9
Q

Which devolved body got the most devolved power?

A

Scotland as it had a strong nationalist movement

even before devolution it had distinctive institutions such as different educational systems

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10
Q

Why was the creation of devolution in NI so important?

A

Creation of a power-sharing government was seen as critical to restoring peace between unionists and republicans

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11
Q

Describe why Wales had limited devolved powers:

A

Nationalism was politically weaker and more concerned with protecting cultural identity than winning independence

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12
Q

Describe the Scottish parliament:

A

Established in Edinburgh in 1999

Consists of 129 MSPs elected every 4 years using AMS

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13
Q

What are the main devolved powers exercised by Scottish parliament

A 
•	Housing
•	Justice
•	Police and fire services
•	Health and social services
•	Agriculture, fisheries and forestry
•	Tourism, sport and culture
•	Education
•	Economic development 
•	Environment and planning
•	Local government 
•	Some aspects of transport policy
(Scottish government was also allowed to vary income tax by 3p above or below UK rate however this power has never been used)
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14
Q

Notable social policy powers the Scotland have exercised:

A
  • Free tuition fees for Scottish students
  • Free nursing care for the elderly
  • Ending the right of council tenants to buy their own home
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15
Q

What was the Calman Commission?

A

A commission established in 2012 set up under Brown’s government
In 2012 it led to additional powers being granted to Scotland

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16
Q

What powers did the Calman Commission grant?

A
  • Taxation powers including the right to set a Scottish income tax rate and control of stamp duty and landfill tax
  • Borrowing powers
  • Regulation of air weapons
  • Drink driving alcohol limits
17
Q

What was the Smith Commission?

A

A commission established by Cameron in the event of a ‘No’ vote in the 214 Scottish Independence referendum that gave extra powers to Scotland

18
Q

What powers did the Smith Commission grant?

A

In 2015-2016 powers such as:
• Control over air passenger duty
• Licensing of onshore oil and gas prospecting
• Some welfare benefits

19
Q

Describe the Welsh Assembly:

A

Based in Cardiff

60 Assembly Members are elected through AMS

20
Q

What is the role of the Welsh Assembly?

A

Represent Welsh people, make laws on areas devolved to Wales and hold the Welsh government accountable

21
Q

What occurred to Welsh Assembly in 2006?

A

The Welsh government formally separated from the Assembly

22
Q

What are the devolved powers in Wales?

A
  • Health
  • Local government
  • Fire and rescue services
  • Agriculture, fisheries and forestry’s
  • Planning ( except major energy infrastructure)
  • Culture (including the Welsh language) and sport
  • Education and training
  • Economic development
  • Environment
  • Housing
  • Transport
23
Q

What areas have not been devolved to Wales, that have been to Scotland:

A

Police and justice are not devolved

Welsh Assembly has not gained powers over income tax and borrowing

24
Q

What led to the establishment of a NI assembly?

A

Following the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 which aimed to bring the two main communities in the province together; the unionists (Protestants) who wanted to stay in the UK, and the nationalists and republicans (Catholics) who wanted to see a united, independent Ireland

25
Q

Describe the NI Assembly:

A

Located in Belfast

Consists of 90 MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) elected by STV

26
Q

Why is STV used in Northern Ireland Assembly?

A

STV is a highly proportional voting system which ensures both sides are represented leading to a power-sharing govt

27
Q

Why has NI Assembly been suspended + why?

A

A breakdown of trust between the Unionist and republican groups.
Eg. In 2002-2007, there was a 5-year suspension period
Eg. More recently suspended in 2017-2020

28
Q

Who is First minister of NI?

A 
Paul Givan (DUP) resigned at start of 2022, which means deputy First minister Michelle O’Neill also resigns 
Currently vacant
29
Q

What transferred matters can the NI Assembly legislate on?

A
  • Welfare and pensions
  • Education
  • Economic development
  • Transport
  • Housing
  • Environment and planning
  • Culture and sport
  • Agriculture
  • Justice and policing
  • Health and social serves
  • Local govt.
  • Employment and skills
30
Q

In what areas could there be further reform?

A 
Devolution 
Electoral reform 
House of Lords reform 
British Bill of Rights 
Codified constitution
31
Q

Why should devolution be reformed?

A

Devolution settlement is uneven in different parts of the UK
England has not been granted devolved powers

32
Q

Why should there be electoral reform?

A

FPTP under-represents small parties and is not proportional

33
Q

Why should there be reform to the House of Lords?

A

The Lords lacks democratic legitimacy as members are unelected

34
Q

Why should the Lords not be reformed?

A
  • Appointed aspect allows the ‘revising chamber’ to scrutinise work of committees – aided by experts in every field
  • In case of dispute Commons always prevails as it contains democratic legitimacy so does not matter if Lords is unelected
  • Both chambers being elected could cause gridlock as both seeking to claim a democratic mandate
35
Q

Why should there be a British Bill of Rights?

A

Argument that HRA is too weak currently – judges can’t strike down laws, simple majority vote could remove the HRA

Politics Paper 2 (5 decks)

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