Decentralisation: power should be devolved back to the people e.g. Scotland and Wales offered their own governments
Democratisation: the public should be given more influence over decision making e.g. through referendums
Transparency: the role of senior judiciary would be reformed and freedom of information act would open the government up to accountability
Rights protection: committing the ECHR into law
House of Lords Reform Act (1999)
Reduced number of hereditary peers to 92
Human Rights Act (1998)
Human rights now protected under law BUT acts could restrict these still e.g. Blair suspended right to liberty (article 5) to keep terrorist suspects in custody longer
The Supreme Court
Constitutional Reform Act (2005) gave them a separate building and Lord Chief Justice was made non political
Devolution
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland given their own powers. Mayoral position developed (2007)
Electoral Reforms
Labour government commissioned Roy Jenkins to investigate alternatives to FPTP. Adopted new systems for devolved bodies
Fixed Term Parliaments Act (2011)
Legislation passed which meant general election must be held exactly 5 years after previous. Elections can still be called upon loss of no confidence votes or as snap elections (these must be ratified by parliament (May won 522-13))
Devolution to Wales
Referendum in 2011, Wales vote in favour of its assembly being a primary legislative power. Wales Act (2014) enacted these
Further Devolution to Scotland
Scotland got right to vary income tax up to 10p, and were given authority to borrow up to £5 billion. Also received more powers in Scotland Act (2016) after referendum
