Have constitutional reforms since 1997 reduced gov power?

• What are some key topics covered in A Level Politics Edexcel?

  • UK Government
  • The Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • The Legislative Process
  • The Influence of the Supreme Court
  • The Impact of the EU on the UK
• What is one argument in favor of the statement that constitutional reforms since 1997 have reduced government power?

  Devolution means power has been taken away
• What does the Human Rights Act allow judges to do?

  Assess laws and challenge government actions
• What is one argument against the statement that constitutional reforms since 1997 have reduced government power?

  Power is still concentrated in UK Parliament
• What is the role of the House of Lords in relation to government power?

  It can only delay bills from the Commons
• How has the creation of the Supreme Court affected the judiciary in the UK?

  It has made the judiciary more independent
• What power was removed from the Prime Minister according to the study material?

  Power to call elections
• What are the arguments in favor of electing the House of Lords?

  • More democratically legitimate
  • Allows for longer terms and representation
  • Better legislation through robust challenges
  • Effective checks on Commons power
• What are the arguments against electing the House of Lords?

  • Loss of specialist knowledge and experience
  • Potential for legislative gridlock
  • No need for two elected chambers
  • Influence of parties on elected members
• What is one argument in favor of reforming the Westminster voting system?

  FPTP is not proportional
• What is a significant drawback of the FPTP system?

  It creates safe seats and wasted votes
• What percentage of the vote do governments currently win power with?

  35-40%
• What is one argument against reforming the Westminster voting system based on public opinion?

  Reform was rejected in the 2011 referendum
• How does FPTP allow for stable governments?

  It leads to single-party governments
• What are the primary legislative powers of the Scottish Parliament?

  • Education
  • Health
  • Environment
  • Law and order
  • Local government
• What powers does the Scottish Parliament not control?

  Foreign affairs, defence, and the constitution
• What are the primary legislative powers of the Welsh Assembly?

  • Education
  • Health
  • Social services
  • Environment
  • Local government
• What powers does the Welsh Assembly not have?

  Law and order, foreign affairs, and defence
• What are the primary legislative powers of the Northern Ireland Assembly?

  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • Local government
• What powers does the Northern Ireland Assembly not control?

  Foreign affairs, defence, and the constitution
• What significant change has occurred in Scotland due to devolution?

  No tuition fees for Scottish university students
• How has devolution been described by some commentators?

  As ‘quasi-federalism’ in the UK
• What has fueled demands for more powers to be transferred to devolved bodies?

  The rise in popularity of the SNP
• What event led to the gradual transfer of more powers to the Scottish Parliament?

  The 2014 Scottish independence referendum
• What is one effect of devolution on childcare in Wales?

  Initiatives in childcare have been introduced
• How does the power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland work?

  Powers must be shared proportionately among parties
• What are some significant changes due to devolution in the UK?

  • No tuition fees for Scottish students
  • Higher pay levels for Scottish teachers
  • Childcare initiatives in Wales
  • Abolished prescription charges in Wales