Constitutional reform from 2010-2015

Which conservative PM was much more open to change in comparison to other conservative leaders?

David Cameron

why did Cameron have to make constitutional reform a leading priority ?

Liberal Democrat’s committed to updating the constitution, coalition government

What was the PM previously able to do before the Fixed term parliaments act 2011?

decide the date of a general election

What was the impact of the fixed term parliaments act?

A general election had to be held five years after the previous election

What did the act make difficult for the prime minister ?

Calling a snap election

What did the act allow an election in the circumstance of?

If the government loses a vote of no confidence

Why is electoral reform never a priority?

Labour/Cons benefit from it the most

Why did Cameron have no choice but to call a referendum on electoral reform ?

It was a consequence of coalition with the Liberal Democrat’s

What did the referendum propose to replace FPTP with?

AV

What did opponents of reform present AV as?

A complicated system which lacked transparency

What did Cameron publicly call AV?

“Undemocratic, obscure, unfair and crazy”

What percentage of the electorate voted against AV in 2011?

68%

What was the turnout for the 2011 referendum ?

42%

What was the coalitions greatest change?

Parliamentary reform

Who did the coalition give more power to ?

Backbench MPs

What allowed MPs to have more control over what is debated in parliament ?

A parliamentary back bench committee

Who would now decide who made up membership and chairs of select committees?

MPs through a secret ballot- no longer the whips

What did the parliamentary reform do?

Increase legitimacy of select committees and made them more confident in scrutinising the government

What was introduced to reconnect parliament with the public ?

E-Petitions

What did E-Petitions allow the public to do?

Lobby parliament

What happens if a petition reaches 100,000 signatures?

It is likely to be debates in the commons

What was the coalition keen to do?

De-centralise power

Why did the coalition want to decentralise power ?

To bring decision making closer to the public

What did Wales vote for in 2011?

In favour of its assembly being given primary legislative power in some areas

What did the Wales Act 2014 provide?

* An assembly with primary legislative power
* A future referendum on whether wales could be given some control over income tax

What further powers were granted to Scotland?

* Right to vary income tax by up to 10p
* Scottish government given the authority to borrow up to £5 billion

What did the coalition introduce to further decentralise power ?

Introduction of elected police and crime commissioners who would be held accountable to the public for regional policing

What was the lowest turnout for police and crime commissioner elections in 2016?

17\.7%- lowest national turnout

What was established to help restore trust in politicians?

Recall of MPs act

What was the aim of the recall of MPs act?

Make MPs more accountable by allowing constituents to demand a by election if an MP is sentenced to prison or is suspended for more than 21 days from the HOC

What is needed for a recall petition to be successful?

10% of constituents must sign it

Why was MP Ian Paisley suspended from Parliament in 2018?

Didn’t disclose a holiday he had taken at the expense of the Sri Lankan government and lobbying on its behalf when it was accused of human rights abuses

What percentage of constituents signed the petition for a by election?

9\.4%