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Further constitutional reform - Coggle Diagram
Further constitutional reform
Further house of lords reform
The argument
That the lords can only claim a democratic legitimacy when they are elected and fully accountable to the public.
No
It contains experts in every field which use their knowledge/experience to scrutinise legislation in depth
If both chambers were elected this would cause gridlock
Main political parties could dominate the lords which would ruin its reputation for independence.
The legitimacy of the lords does not require them to have a democratic mandate but for them to be expertise
electoral reform at westminster
Argument
The voting system should be reformed as the UK is becoming a multi party democracy and so the elctoral system should be changed
No
Keeps out small parties
Doesn't actually give small parties representation in Scotland and Wales: Lib dems in 2019 achieved 6% of the vote in Scottish Parliament but only gained 3.1% of seats.
English devolution
Argument
England needs its own parliament or regional assemblies
Yes
England is the most populated nation in the UK and its citizens have no government
Asymmetric devolution: England's interests could be taken less seriously that scotland wales and NI
Strong sense of regional identities in Cornwall and Yorkshire: in 2015 Cornwall became the first county to be given devolved powers including control of investment and bus services.
No
Little demand and people feel their needs are already being represented in UK parliament
Could challenge wesminsters authority
Not all parts of england have regional identity: even the north east, who have strong identity, rejected the opportunity to have their own assembly 78% to 22% in 2004.
A codified constitution
Yes
A codified constitution would represent a higher law, which would protect people's civil liberties from being eroded by the government. For example, bills like the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts act would not be possible to pass with a codified bill of rights.
The authority of the Supreme Court would be enhanced as it would be able to strike down un constitutional laws. For example, they might have been able to strike down the Rwanda bill and the subsequent Safety of Rwanda bill 2024 if the constitution was codified.
It would clarify where soverignity lies and clarify the relationship between different branches.
no
The uncodified nature of the British Constitution means that it is very flexible and can quickly respond to changing social and political circumstances. For example, the passage of the Equality act 2010 of David Cameron is a good example of how our constitution is flexible and can accommodate changing social norms, such as LGBTQ+ rights
It puts more power in the hands of elected representatives rather than judges
Civil liberties are already protected by the Human rights act 1998 and the equality act 2010.
Devolution has been possible under an uncodified constitution