debates on constitutional reform

• What is the main debate regarding constitutional reforms since 1997?

  Whether they should be taken further
• What are the successful constitutional reforms since 1997?

  • Devolution
  • Reform of the judicial system
• How has devolution been successful in Scotland and Wales?

  It has been supported and effective
• What has devolution achieved in Northern Ireland?

  It has helped ensure peace
• What is the effect of regional devolution on power distribution?

  It has led to decentralisation of power
• What did the 2005 Constitutional Reform Act establish?

  An independent Supreme Court
• What is a benefit of fixed-term elections?

  They check executive power
• How does proportional representation improve elections?

  It enhances voter representation
• What has not changed regarding electoral reform for general elections?

  First past the post remains in place
• What is a consequence of using first past the post (FPTP)?

  It can lead to unrepresentative outcomes
• What is a proposed reform for the House of Lords?

  To become a fully elected chamber
• Why is further reform needed for the House of Lords?

  It remains entirely unelected
• What is the debate surrounding further devolution in England?

  Whether to extend devolution to regions
• How would further devolution improve accountability?

  By bringing government closer to communities
• What could further devolution prevent?

  Significant differences in living standards
• What is a potential downside of further devolution?

  It could increase divisions in society
• What might result from too many elections due to devolution?

  Voter apathy could increase
• What is a key argument for a codified constitution?

  It protects human rights more effectively
• How does a codified constitution improve clarity?

  It provides clear guidelines for citizens
• What checks would a codified constitution provide?

  Written checks on government power
• What is a benefit of an uncodified constitution?

  It allows for a strong government
• Why is changing to a written constitution considered difficult?

  It has served well without major issues
• What is a potential issue with a written constitution?

  It could politicise the judiciary
• How does an uncodified constitution adapt to societal changes?

  It is more flexible than a codified one
• What did Boris Johnson's repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 change?

  PMs can now choose election timing
• What was the accusation made by Amnesty International in April 2024?

  Parliament was destabilising human rights
• What did Lord Clarke warn about the Safety of Rwanda Bill?

  It could lead to an elective dictatorship
• What was the Supreme Court's ruling on the Rwanda scheme?

  It was unlawful due to safety concerns
• How did the Coronavirus Act 2020 affect individual rights?

  It curtailed freedoms during the pandemic
• What was the public reaction to Partygate?

  It exposed abuse of power during lockdown
• What did the liaison committee do regarding Partygate?

  They held Johnson accountable for misconduct
• What did the European Court of Human Rights rule in 2005?

  UK breached ECHR by denying prisoner votes
• What did the UK government propose in 2018 regarding prisoners' voting rights?

  Allow temporary licence prisoners to vote
• What did the 2005 Constitutional Reform Act achieve?

  Established the UK Supreme Court
• Why is the Supreme Court considered relatively weak?

  Due to parliamentary sovereignty and uncodified constitution
• What did the 2017 Burns report recommend for the House of Lords?

  A reduction in size and term limits
• What is a demographic issue with the House of Lords?

  Average age of lords is 71
• What percentage of Lords received private education?

  70%
• What percentage of the House of Lords are women?

  Only 28%
• What percentage of the House of Lords are from BME backgrounds?

  Only 2.6%