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Development of the constitution since 1997 - Coggle Diagram
Development of the constitution since 1997
Blair reforms 1997 - 2007
House of Lords act 1999
Before reforms took place, 1130 peers were elegible to sit in the house of lords and most of these peers had inherited their right to sit there, being part of aristocratic families. Hereditary peers outnumbered life peers, who are appointed for their service to the nation.
Removed all but 92 hereditary peers which were elected to retain their seat by other members of the lords.
House of lords commission was established in 2000. Publicly scrutinised appointments from the PM and monarch.
This arguably made the Lords a more professional body as it is based on expertise. However, it still lacks democratic legitimacy. Some argue that there are still too many appointments as there is no upper limit on members. Some also argue that the house of lords does not need democratic legitimacy as its whole purpoe is to operate as an expert body.
Electoral reform
Electoral reform to AV was considered but ditched as labour won such a large majority in the election, although they did appoint Roy jenkins to investigate alternatives to FPTP.
However, electoral reform was used for devolved bodies in the UK. This included Scotland and Wales being elected on AMS and Northern Ireland on STV.
Devolution (1997)
Referendums were hold in Scotland, NI and Wales over their desire for devolution. Scotland voted by a high margin, and wales with a tiny margin.
The aim was to provide these areas with greater self - determination and independence. In NI devolution was a vital part of the peace process.
Also allowed towns, cities and regions to elect their own mayor.
HR act 1998
Incorporated the European Convention of Human Rights into british law.
Gave judges more power to strike down some kind of higher law. This was used in 2006 when the supreme court determined the police had acted illegally, under article 8 of the convention, to stop 120 anti iraq war protesters from reaching an RAF base.
Meant that the government too had to act according to the ECHR.
However, does not override parliamentary soverignity. Parliament can still pass laws that conflict with this bill, and the supreme court can only issue a statement of incompatability. This is shown by Blair suspending article 5 of the constitution to keep foreign terror suspects in detention indefinitley without charge.
Supreme court (constitutional reform act 2005)
Before this, the lord chancellor had a role in all 3 branches of government. This act split the role in to 3 seperate areas.
The act also ended the lords judicial function and established the supreme court in 2009, making it seperate from the lords.
The lord chancellor was no longer given power over appointments and this was instead passed to the Judicial Appointments Commission.
Coalition reforms 2010-2015
Fixed terms parliament act 2011
Established that a general election was to be held exactly every 5 years after another election.
Made it harder for prime ministers to call a snap election to their advantage.
The act does allow an election if a government loses a vote of no confidence. In 2017 and 2019, Theresa May and Boris Johnson were able to call snap elections with the support of the commons.
Electoral reform
David Cameron was forced to do this as a price to pay for forming a coalition with the Lib Dems.
2011 AV referendum: electorate voted 68% to 32% in favour of retaining FPTP.
Parliamentary reform
Parliamentary backbench committee was established to give backbench MPs more control over what is debated in parliament
Membership of select comittees was no longer determined by whips. Membership and chairs would be elected by MPs in a secret ballot.
Created e petitions
Further devolution
Another referendum in Wales in 2011 led to wales being given primary legislative power in some areas. These were then enacted by the Wales act 2014. In 2015 wales was also given tax varying powers.
Further powers were devolved to Scotland including the ability to vary income tax by up to 10p in the pound.
Conservative government reforms (2015-2024)
EU referendum
European withdrawl agreement 2020
Elected metro mayors
Given initially to areas like Greater manchester and Bristol. Manchester's elected mayor became responsible for a £6 billion social care and health budget.
However, referendums in Bristol have wanted to abolish this position.
Addressing the west lothian question: English Votes for English Laws. In 2015 a legislative grand committee was established.