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1.2 Did Blair & New Labour's Constitutional Reforms Succeed?, <…
1.2
Did Blair & New Labour's Constitutional Reforms Succeed?
Blair
(PM from 1997 to 2007)
initiated a series of constitutional reforms during his time in office
some were successful, others faced significant challenges & limitations
Significant Constitutional Reforms
(introduced by Blair)
the creation of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in 1999 & Northern Irish Assembly in 1998
reforms gave Scot, Wales & NI a greater degree of autonomy & control over their own affairs
were widely seen as successful in terms of
increasing democratic participation & accountability
in those regions
Blair's govt also introduced the HRA 1998, which incorporated ECHR into UK law
provided individuals w/ greater protection for their human rights
HOWEVER:
negative aspects of some constitutional reforms
plans to reform HoL and introduce a fully elected upper house were met w/ resistance from some MPs
proposals were eventually watered down to create a partially elected HoL
attempts to introduce a regional tier of govt in England were met w/ opposition
proposed NE Regional Assembly was rejected by voters in a referendum in 2004
this meant govt's plans for devolution in England were largely abandoned
Brown's
Government
served as PM from 2007 to 2010
continued some of his predecessor's constitutional reforms & implemented
some new ones
his time in office was
relatively short
& he faced significant challenges (which limited the extent of his constitutional reforms)
Achievements
establishment of the SC in 2009
no. of measures aimed at increasing transparency & accountability in the political system:
introduction of fixed-term parliaments
establishment of Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to regulate MPs' expenses
Challenges
plans to introduce an elected HoL - initially met w/ resistance, then abandoned altogether
proposals for further devolution to local government(s) in England faced significant opposition & were not implemented during Brown's time in office
<-- a significant step forward in promoting individual rights & liberties in the UK