Evaluate The View That New Labourʼs Constitutional Reforms Had A Positive And Significant Impact On The UK Constitution. (30)

AGREE 1 (HoL REFORM)

Lords appointed based on expertise rather than birth right

HoL reform removed all but 92 hereditary peers

Baroness Lawrence expert on race issues after the murder of her son she campaigned for justice and brough attention to racism and inequality within the criminal justice system

DISAGREE 1 (HoL REFORM)

Lords are unelected and therefore unaccountable. The PM can appoint whoever they like

Peter Cruddas – major donor of CON party appointed despite HoL panel saying he was unsuitable .

Alan sugar hasn’t voted since 2017

AGREE 2 (DEVOLUTION)

Allowed for greater democracy and more effective local representation

SNP – free prescription chargers, free tuition fees

LON (khan) FSM for all primary school students in LON

DISAGREE 2 (DEVOLUTION)

Brexit à tensions within devolved nations

NI – trade and border problems as still partly in the EU

Scotland wanted to rejoin EU – increased the desire for independence 2014 scot indy referendum 55% in favour of the union.

AGREE 3 (HRA)

HRA empowered the judiciary’s role in judicial review by allowing courts to assess the compatibility with the HRA.

2010: the court ruled that the government had not acted lawfully when insisting that convicted sex offenders should be registered with the police for life. As a result the law was changed so offenders can apply for a review after 15 years.

DISGAREE 3 (HRA)

Power limited by parliamentary sovereignty

Hirst Vs UK – blanket ban on prisoner voting rights violates HRA – not implemented by government