Constitutional reform

uk constitution sources

uncodified (not written down), unentrenched (rules can be easily changed), unitary (parliamentary sovereignty)

labour reforms 1997-2007

house of lords reform, devolution, electoral reform

electoral reform

scot+wal= AMS

NI=STV

LDN ASB=AMS

WMST=FPTP

con-lib dem reforms 2010-2015

Fixed-term Parliaments Act, devolution to Scotland and wales (strengthened devolved governance but increased complexity), electoral reform (AV referendum)

AV referendum

turnout= 42%, for=32%, against=68% (Cameron may have new AV would have public backing and wanted to keep FPTP because it favoured his party (and lab)

how did Scotland devolution power change during coalition

Scotland gained more financial power from that tranferred financial control

reasons for having an English parliament

west Lothain question- why MPs from Scotland, Wales and NI can vote on legislation affecting england, but not the other way- unsymmetrical

EVEL

abolished in 2022- too complicated, not utilised enough and made it harder to legislate in Westminster

why was EVEL made

to ensure laws affecting England only were supported by a majority of the English MPs

1979 Welsh devolution referendum

turnout=59% for=20% against=80%

1997 Welsh devolution referendum

turnout=50% for=50.3% against=49.7%— criticisms because turnout was so low and there was only a 0.6% difference, especially since the last referendum in 1979 was defeated with a large majority

The Scotland act, 1998

turnout=60.4% yes=74.2% no=25.7%

1979 Scotland referendum

despite majority of votes going for a devolved parliament, turnout was only 32%, failing to meet the 40% minimum