...Labour and Constitutional Reform ✓ Labour’s Reforms ✓ The Changing Constitution ✓ Party Views and Manifestoes ✓ Assessment and Evaluation ✓ Evidence 1. Labour’s Reforms o The constitutional reforms initiated by the Labour Government elected in 1997 together promise to transform the institutional structure of the United Kingdom. ▪ The Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly are the most tangible signs of this transformation but other constitutional reforms are either in being or well under way …… ▪ including the Human Rights Act of 1998 (incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights), ▪ a directly-elected mayor and assembly for London, ▪ a reformed House of Lords ▪ and Freedom of Information legislation. ▪ Although reform of the electoral system for Westminster now seems a somewhat distant prospect, the 1999 elections to the Welsh Assembly, to the Scottish Parliament and to the European Parliament were all conducted using electoral systems very different from the traditional first-past-the-post method. ▪ Referendums have been widely used, and more promised o Lecture by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, to the Constitution Unit, Westminster. 8 December 1998 o No other Government this century has embarked upon so significant or wide-ranging a programme of constitutional reform as the New Labour Government...
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...Since 1997 England’s uncodified constitution has seen a significant amount of change. Westminster has devolved some of its power, an Act protecting and stating human rights has been established and a referendum is due to be held in 2014 on whether or not Scotland should have a codified constitution. While one could argue that discussions as to whether the upper house should be elected or appointed have not yet reached a decision, and it has taken over a decade for a devolved assembly to have the chance to be independent, it would appear that constitutional changes have gone as far as they are ever going to, however it ... gone far enough. Parts of the British political system were seen as undemocratic, especially during Labour’s terms in office in the late 1990’s, in particular the House of Lords (HOL). The Labour government set out to remove all hereditary peers in 1999; instead they abolished all but 92 and now promoted life peers as an alternative. Many Lords and Ladies are offered a place in the HOL either for service, such as previous MP’s, or due to their particular knowledge in a field, such as Alan Sugar as he has a vast amount of knowledge in business. However this was the last reform made, no more hereditary peers have been abolished, the question on whether or not to make the upper house elected is still on-going and previous conservative MP’s still hold more seats than any other party thus making the HOL unrepresentative and undemocratic. Therefore many argue this...
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...many constitutional reforms since 1997 that is progressive towards a more democratic system, however it is not a complete democracy and there are still parts of the constitution could be improved. In 1997 Labour government came to power, with tony blair as prime minister, later Gordon Brown came to power between 2007 to 2010 have made a series of constitutional reforms. This was due to the fact that many practices of british politics were out of date, and therefore sought to modernise the constitution. Another main issue was that the central parliament, Westminster has too much power and therefore the labour party sought to decentralize and distribute the power towards other regions. The house of lords is the upper chamber of the Uk’s bicameral parliament, Beginning in the the 11th century. The house of lords’ role in government is to work with the house of commons to; make laws, check and challenge the actions of government ( the house of lords has no veto power) and provide independent competence. Firstly, in 1999 the Labour party under Tony Blair as Prime Minister reformed the house of lords. For centuries the house of lords consisted of members that inherited their seats, the Act removed such right. The act reduced members of the house of lords from 1,330 members to 669 members and a proportion of the members that are ‘cross benchers’ members with no party affiliation. In order for this act to receive supported votes, Tony Blair and the labour party passed the Weatherill...
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...Has constitutional reform in the UK gone too far since 1997? Due to the uncodified nature of the UK constitution it is organic and the lack of higher law enables constitutional reforms to occur far quicker and with greater ease than seen in other countries, such as the USA. A constitutional reform is a political change in the constitution. There are varying bodies of opinion on the extent of constitutional reforms that are currently required within the UK. Constitutional changes have been mainly seen since 1997, under Blair and Brown, such as the establishment of a Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in 1999, a constitutional reform some argue to be unnecessary while others argue should be extended and developed. A key issue that has divided constitutional opinions since 1997 is the idea of the unelected House of Lords, which some say undermine the legitimacy of democracy within the UK. The Salisbury convention already exists and ensures that the House of Lords does not obstruct proposals, which are previously contained in the elected government’s most recent manifesto, which is argues as an example of the removal of undemocratic sovereignty held previously by the Lords. However the fact that it is unwritten has been opposed to as the Lords is not fully controlled by the Government. To counteract the opposition other reforms have been introduce to reduce the powers of the House of Lords, such as the 1999 reform reducing hereditary peers to 92 from 600, and also the loss of...
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...natural party of government between 1951-2007? (45) There is abundant evidence to suggest the Conservatives were seen as the natural party throughout the initial era of 1951 to 1997. However, after Blair’s New Labour huge and resounding landslide victory in 1997, definitions of a “natural party” have become more complicated; and it being ascribed to the Conservatives far from being accurate. Agree: * Throughout 1951 to 1997, the Conservatives were in power for 35/46 years. No Labour government ever won two successive elections. * Conservatives dominated for long periods between 1951 to 1997, with 3 consecutive victories during 1951 to 1964, and 4 consecutive victories during 1979 to 1992. * The only landslides came from the Conservatives during 1951 to 1997, in the general elections of 1959, 1983 and 1987; they had a majority of over 100 seats during these administrations * Many commentators and books have described the 20th century as the “Conservative century/age”. * Conservatives certainly had the “appetite for power” during 1951 to 1997; their energy and direction was focused on winning general elections * Conservatives have never really been tied to a single ideology, Labour before 1997 focused wholly on socialism and derivatives of it. This meant the Conservatives were able to adapt more easily: Churchill accepted the welfare state, whilst Thatcher was able to reposition the Conservatives towards the right wing of the party * Pre 1997, Labour...
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...The new Labour government took power in 1997 began to reform the British constitution, introducing the Human rights act, Devolution and some reform of the House of Lords among other less important changes. Unfortunately Labour did not complete those reforms and a great deal was left undone. The question since then is how much has the constitution been reformed and how positive effect these reforms have had. There is no doubt that the HRA has transformed Britain. It created a means by which government and other bodies could be prevented from abusing our rights. The courts were given powers to enforce rights. This has meant that we now have more privacy and have the right to be treated equally under the law. However, the HRA was not made biding on Parliament and so governments can still abuse rights. This has been seen with anti-terrorism acts which give the police great powers including the ability to arrest suspects without trial. The HRA also does not protect us against the growth of surveillance and stop search powers or the prevention of some demonstrations. Similarly, the FOI act has been partly effective as it enabled us to know about the MP’s expense scandal and other aspects of government. However government can still conceal sensitive information thus perhaps the act should have been stronger. The introduction of Devolution as well supported in Scotland and Wales has made a huge difference in those countries as well as in Northern Ireland, the people of those countries...
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...throughout the UK. Almost all MPs are elected as members of a political party. Functions of The House of Commons Representation: MPs represent constituents and may represent 'interests' such as trade unions, or particular professions, provided these interests are declared. Almost all MPs represent political parties, and usually vote according to the party line (the whipping system). Government Personnel: Although parliament does not appoint the government, it provides a forum in which budding ministers can demonstrate and hone their political skills, while serving ministers can make or break their career depending on their performance at the Commons' dispatch box. Legitimisation: Permits the elected assembly, acting on the people's behalf, to grant (or withhold) its approval for most actions of the government, including legislation and the grant of money. Scrutiny of the Executive: The role in scrutinising the policies and actions of the government, in debates, parliamentary questions and within the influential cross-party select committees. The Powers of the Prime Ministers Power to appoint, reshuffle or dismiss ministers Power to create peers Power to give out honours Power to appoint chairs of nationalised industries Power to make other appointments (e.g. top civil servants, ambassadors, bishops, judges). Power over ministerial conduct (rules are laid out in the ministerial code (Cabinet Office 1997) Powers relating to government business (e.g. setting the agenda...
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...Are parties becoming less ideological? Recently, political parties in many countries are becoming less ideologically attached and are beginning to move towards the centre ground. This is illustrated clearly with Fukuyama’s book, titled ‘the end of history and the last man’ which depicts how with the introduction of the 3rd way on the left, and many right wing policies now too extreme, the collapse of conventional ideology. He suggests there is now a final form of government since the end of the cold war. This is some what clear in the UK with the birth of New Labour in 1997, and the less extreme Conservatives, many argue they are simply both competing on economic grounds. The famous quote being ‘its economy stupid’, almost suggesting the economy is a new form of ideology. The same can be said for the US, but on less of a severe basis. Although Clinton is said to be most similar to Blaire, centering himself from extreme left wing policies, the rise of the TEA party in America, and to some extent Obama’s health care reforms can be said to be a revival of traditional ideology. Although to a less of an extent, Cameron’s Big Society can also said to be a revival of traditional Conservative policies. In terms of the economy parties are moving more centre-right and on social issues more centre-left. Although perhaps appearing very ideological in the US in particular American Politics is still very ‘catch all’. In terms of the economy it can be said parties and not becoming more ideological...
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...After the Labour party’s strong victory in the 1997 general election, winning 179 seats, they have made moves and provisions towards constitutional reform. Indeed, the two prime ministers; Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have done much for reform over the years, as illustrated by devolution and the human rights act. Indeed, they made provision for reform in 4 key areas, modernisation, and greater protection of rights, democratisation and decentralisation. However, it can be argued that their reform has been limited, and much more can be done for constitutional reform. Firstly, it is clear that the modernisation aspects of the reform have been severely limited. Indeed, this can be illustrated by the reform of the House of Lords. Over the past 10 years, only part 1 of the reform process has taken place. This has included the removal of over 600 hereditary peers to only 92. However, no reform for a partially or fully elected second chamber has taken place. Until this happens it is argued that the Lords is not democratically legitimate as all policy making institutions must have legitimacy. By merely appointing the members of the Lords means that whilst they may have expertise, they are not socially accountable. These include the likes of Alan Sugar and Sebastian Coe. Also, the Wright report, which includes provisions towards electing members of select committee chairs by secret ballot, and to end the Winterton rule on public bill committees is still stuck within the legislative process...
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...Democracy and participation: Democracy = a political system based on the idea that government should serve the interests of the people. Legitimacy = the extent to which a government has the right to rule and exercise power. Power vs. Authority: * Power= the ability to make someone do something that they would not do of their own free will * E.g - Coercion – the use of force to achieve ends – the military * Authority = the right to exercise power (based on the consent of those being ruled) * E.g - Legal/rational – HOC * E.g – Traditional – HOL Modern democracies have: Political tolerance Peaceful transition of power Free, fair and regular elections The government is accountable to the people The rule of law Freedom of the media Modern democracies have: Political tolerance Peaceful transition of power Free, fair and regular elections The government is accountable to the people The rule of law Freedom of the media What makes a government legitimate? * Referendums (‘Yes’ answers) * High turnout * Free, fair and regular elections * Lack of dissent * Displays of public support How legitimate is the UK? Legitimate | Not legitimate | * House of Commons is elected | * Electoral system unfair and distorts political representation (FPTP) | * Government elected with mandate to govern | * Every government elected has only achieved the minority of the popular vote | * House of Lords has traditional authority...
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...Britain will be better with New Labour This essay will include an analysis and discussion of a speech by Tony Blair from 1997. Tony Blair was a Labour Party politician, who in 1997 got elected as Prime Minister of Great Britain. The speech we are analyzing is the same speech that won Tony Blair the election back in 1997, and therefore holds great meaning in British history. Firstly, we will have a look at a rhetorical analysis of the speech, by filling in the rhetorical pentagon. The writer of the speech is Tony Blair. The topic of Tony Blair’s speech is the way he wants to renew the political system of Great Britain, by implementing some new reforms, with the purpose of making Great Britain a more equal place for the people of Britain. The reader of the speech is the registered voter of Great Britain - in particular the old supporters of The Labour party. The circumstances of the speech is the election of Prime Minister. The language of the speech is rather formal, considering that he is speaking out to the majority of Great Britain. The effect of this, is that Tony Blair appears more convincing and well structured, both in his speech, and in his way of carrying out his politics. Finally, the intention of the speech is to persuade the recipients of the speech to vote for him as Prime Minister. Roughly, Tony Blair’s speech can be divided in two major fragments. An introduction from the first line to line 6, and the speech itself, running from line 7 and to the end...
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...Discuss the view that the constitutional reforms since 1997 have been of limited impact The British constitution has been changed many times since 1997 when new labour came to power. Some of these changes have included the devolution of powers were both the Scottish and Welsh governments were given more power. Arguments have also been made for other parliamentary reforms to take place such as a reform to the human rights act and the House of Lords. Many people argue that although significant changes have taken place in regards to the UK constitution that the reforms do not go far enough. One of the reforms to the British constitution has been the devolution of powers reform. In this reform act the power to govern was decentralised from London to allow wales and Scotland to partially self-govern. This can be argued as having impact as it allows these countries to have their own limited power, for example it gave Scotland the power to vary its tax levels. Therefore it can be argued that this constitutional change had an impact that was significant; however it can be argued that the reform did not go far enough. Some people such as Plaid Cymru and the Scottish national party believe that further reforms should take place to give the two countries more power and move it away from the UK parliament completely. These parties want a bigger impact by being given more powers to do things such as create their own laws and control their own finances. However an opinion poll into whether...
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...economic models as well as two very different politic regimes with their own unique characteristics. This essay will include a contrast look into the different political regimes in both China and India and the opportunities and threats of conducting business within these countries. The essay will focus on the different government regulations and control within the two nations as well as tax policy’s, intellectual property rights, and land and labour cost, concluding with which businesses would prefer potential foreign investment in each of these two nations. Political regimes as defined by (Kitschelt, 1992) are “the rules and basic political resource allocations according to which actors exercise authority by imposing and enforcing collective decisions on a bounded constituency”. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) formally a communist regime with Marxist ideologies until the economic reform in 1978 which lead them to a more modern socialism regime. The PRC operates under a single party socialist republic known as the ‘Communist Party of China’ which now has the ideology of ‘Socialism with Chinese Characteristics’ which could be seen as a form of capitalism. However (Fan & Morck, 2012) show that China’s new regime ‘market socialism with Chinese characteristics’ is a unique system not limited to one ideology, but with different features of free...
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...How effectively do the UK's main political parties fuffil their key roles and functions? Introduction: In the UK we currently have a two party system the Labour party and the Conservative party, each party has main roles that they need to perform in order to provide an active government system. These key roles come in five different forms known as the following; * participation, this is where the parties allow members within the party as well as citizens to participate in the political process at all levels. * the political recruitment process, parties play a vital role in giving the future leaders their apprenticeship. The candidate selection processes cast aside the unsuitable. e * the policy formulation process,this is where parties hold debates and formulate policy before presenting the policies on a manifesto. * providing a stable government, without parties it is agrued that the House of Commons would simply be a gathering of over 600 individuals. Therefore, this essay will evaluate how effectively the UK's main political parties fulfill their core roles and functions. Participation Parties first role is through participation, encouraging not only citizens but members within their party. The quality of participation afforded to members is shaped largely by the extent to which political parties themselves are internally democratic. The Labour party in paticular has displayed many signs of internal party democracy, this was demonstrated through...
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... of Oxford http://www.crest.ox.ac.uk Is Britain Facing a Crisis of Democracy? by Catherine Bromley, John Curtice and Ben Seyd EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Britain is widely believed to be suffering a crisis of democracy. This briefing examines whether this perception is justified or not. Our findings - which are based on a four year research project funded by the ESRC - address four key issues: the legitimacy of governments, patterns of participation in politics, the impact of constitutional reform, and the explanation for any crisis. Legitimacy There has been a decline in levels of trust in government and confidence in the political system. Thirty years ago, four in ten people in Britain trusted government to put the needs of the nation above those of their political party; today, just one in five do so. But much of this decline set in during the early 1990s, although trust and confidence have fallen further since 1997. Participation Turnout at all elections has declined since 1997, most noticeably at the 2001 general election, when the participation rate was the lowest since 1918. At the same time, levels of non-electoral participation have increased somewhat. Meanwhile, it is not the case that people engage outside the ballot box as an alternative to voting; rather, most people use non-electoral activities as a complement to participating at elections. One reason why non-electoral participation has not declined is because people generally feel as engaged with the...
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