UK Constitution Flashcards
(31 cards)
What are the two formal sources of the UK constitution?
statute law and common law
What are the two informal sources of the constitution?
works of authority, conventions
Why should the constitution be codified and entrenched?
clear rules, stops parliamentary sovereignty, neutral interpretation, protecting rights, education and citizenship
Why shouldn’t the constitution be codified and entrenched?
Rigid, unnecessary, judicial tyranny, legalistic (vague enough to incorporate change so pointless), political bias (can reinforce prejudice)
Why is the UK constitution fit for purpose?
flexibility of change, parliament is sovereign (democratic), evolution not revolution, efficient govt
Why isn’t the UK constitution fit for purpose?
lack of clarity, over centralisation, weak protection of rights, risk of elective dictatorship
What is devolution?
the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the central government to the sub national govt
What were the first devolution acts?
Scotland Act, Govt of Wales Act, NI Act 1998
What is asymmetrical devolution?
Where the devolution of powers from central to subnational governments is not uniform, and the powers devolved vary from region to region
Why should there be further devolution in England?
solve WLQ, equalise rep (MPs don’t have to rep national and english issues), address rise of english nationalism, metro-mayors work, challenge focus on London
What is the West Lothian Question?
Why should Scottish MPs be able to vote on English matters at Westminster, when English MPs cannot vote on matters devolved to the Scottish Parliament?
Why shouldn’t there be further devolution in England?
English laws are determined by the speaker, WLQ isn’t a major problem, England 84% UK, England has enough power, undermine parliamentary sovereignty, many places in England uninterested- Bristol rejected mayor, duplicating Westminster
Why should there be further reform to the House of Lords?
They’re unelected, average attendance 2023-4 410/784, 94% white 69% male
Why shouldn’t there be further reform to the House of Lords?
experts in certain areas, speak their mind, 179 cross-benchers, 38 non-affiliated, 2001-2.6% ethnic minority now it’s 6%, no one would stand for an elected chamber because it would be subordinate to HoC- second rate politicians
Why has devolution been a success?
brought democracy closer to the people, devolved assemblies are very popular, secured peace in NI, metro mayors led to greater regional identity, Welsh interest increased
Why hasn’t devolution been a success?
dramatically increased want for Scottish independence, differing powers is confusing, NI govt suspended multiple times, interest in metro mayors low, England short-changed
What are the positives of metro mayors?
can focus on economic development, work cross party with other mayors and govt, provide local solutions, figurehead for local issues, improved local democracy/accountability
What are the negatives of metro mayors?
power distributed asymmetrically, turnout at some is poor, not in all areas of England, limited power and budgets
What reforms did Labour 97 introduce?
devolution, electoral reform, referendums, HRA, FOI Act, HoL reform, judicial reform
What reforms did the coalition government introduce?
fixed term parliaments act (repealed), Wright reforms, further Welsh and Scottish devolution, PCCs, recall of MPs
What reforms did the Conservative government 2015-19 introduce?
english votes for english laws (repealed), metro mayors
Labour 24 reforms
greater devolved powers to metro mayors and some new mayors, proposed reforms to remove hereditary peers, age of voting likely to be moved to 16, Wales STV and more members and automatic voter registration
metro mayors providing local policies
TFGM TFL Our pass, Oyster Card
Why is WLQ irrelevant?
Regional MPs couldn’t overpower English and they abstain from issues that don’t concern them
