Evaluating UK Constiution

• What is a strength of the UK constitution regarding flexibility?

  It can be amended to reflect changing views
• How has the UK constitution allowed for democratic rule?

  Power is vested in the elected Commons
• Why is the UK constitution effective for government operations?

  It is not restricted by a codified constitution
• What is a historical strength of the UK constitution?

  It has survived because it works
• What uncertainty exists due to the UK constitution not being a single document?

  Uncertainty over actions after the 2010 election
• What is meant by "elective dictatorship" in the context of the UK constitution?

  Power is too concentrated in the executive
• How has power been centralized in the UK government?

  It is concentrated in the Prime Minister
• What significant change occurred in human rights protection in 1998?

  The Human Rights Act was established
• What was the impact of the Human Rights Act on judges' powers?

  Judges gained power to protect human rights
• What did the Constitutional Reform Act of 2005 create?

  The Supreme Court of the UK
• What was a key change introduced by the Fixed Term Parliaments Act of 2011?

  General elections set for five years apart
• How can the Fixed Term Parliaments Act be overridden?

  With 2/3 approval of the Commons
• What additional powers were granted to the Welsh Assembly in 2011?

  More law-making powers after a referendum
• What was proposed but rejected in the 2011 referendum regarding electoral reform?

  Change from FPTP to AV
• What was the outcome of the proposed House of Lords reform during the Coalition government?

  Legislation was withdrawn due to expected defeat
• What new conventions were created by the coalition government from 2010-2015?

  Negotiations between Conservatives and Lib Dems
• How did the coalition affect collective responsibility among ministers?

  Weakened expectation of public support for policies
• What was the role of the 'quad' in the coalition government?

  Facilitated cross-party discussion and policy formulation
• How did the House of Lords respond to bills during the coalition government?

  More willing to challenge bills presented
• What are the strengths of the UK constitution?

  • Flexibility to amend for changing views
  • Long period of democratic rule
  • Effective government without a codified constitution
  • Based on history and tradition
• What are the weaknesses of the UK constitution?

  • Uncertainty due to lack of a single document
  • Concentration of power in the executive
  • Overcentralization in the Prime Minister
  • Historical lack of human rights protection
• What constitutional reforms occurred since 1997 under Labour?

  • House of Lords reform in 1999
  • Introduction of proportional electoral systems
  • Establishment of regional assemblies
  • Human Rights Act in 1998
  • Constitutional Reform Act in 2005
• What constitutional reforms occurred under the Coalition government?

  • Fixed Term Parliaments Act in 2011
  • Further devolution to the Welsh Assembly
  • Proposed electoral reform rejected in 2011
  • New conventions established in coalition governance