Studied by 23 peopleWhich conservative PM was much more open to change in comparison to other conservative leaders?
David Cameron
why did Cameron have to make constitutional reform a leading priority ?
Liberal Democrat’s committed to updating the constitution, coalition government
What was the PM previously able to do before the Fixed term parliaments act 2011?
decide the date of a general election
What was the impact of the fixed term parliaments act?
A general election had to be held five years after the previous election
What did the act make difficult for the prime minister ?
Calling a snap election
What did the act allow an election in the circumstance of?
If the government loses a vote of no confidence
Why is electoral reform never a priority?
Labour/Cons benefit from it the most
Why did Cameron have no choice but to call a referendum on electoral reform ?
It was a consequence of coalition with the Liberal Democrat’s
What did the referendum propose to replace FPTP with?
AV
What did opponents of reform present AV as?
A complicated system which lacked transparency
What did Cameron publicly call AV?
“Undemocratic, obscure, unfair and crazy”
What percentage of the electorate voted against AV in 2011?
68%
What was the turnout for the 2011 referendum ?
42%
What was the coalitions greatest change?
Parliamentary reform
Who did the coalition give more power to ?
Backbench MPs
What allowed MPs to have more control over what is debated in parliament ?
A parliamentary back bench committee
Who would now decide who made up membership and chairs of select committees?
MPs through a secret ballot- no longer the whips
What did the parliamentary reform do?
Increase legitimacy of select committees and made them more confident in scrutinising the government
What was introduced to reconnect parliament with the public ?
E-Petitions
What did E-Petitions allow the public to do?
Lobby parliament
What happens if a petition reaches 100,000 signatures?
It is likely to be debates in the commons
What was the coalition keen to do?
De-centralise power
Why did the coalition want to decentralise power ?
To bring decision making closer to the public
What did Wales vote for in 2011?
In favour of its assembly being given primary legislative power in some areas
What did the Wales Act 2014 provide?
An assembly with primary legislative power
A future referendum on whether wales could be given some control over income tax
What further powers were granted to Scotland?
Right to vary income tax by up to 10p
Scottish government given the authority to borrow up to £5 billion
What did the coalition introduce to further decentralise power ?
Introduction of elected police and crime commissioners who would be held accountable to the public for regional policing
What was the lowest turnout for police and crime commissioner elections in 2016?
17.7%- lowest national turnout
What was established to help restore trust in politicians?
Recall of MPs act
What was the aim of the recall of MPs act?
Make MPs more accountable by allowing constituents to demand a by election if an MP is sentenced to prison or is suspended for more than 21 days from the HOC
What is needed for a recall petition to be successful?
10% of constituents must sign it
Why was MP Ian Paisley suspended from Parliament in 2018?
Didn’t disclose a holiday he had taken at the expense of the Sri Lankan government and lobbying on its behalf when it was accused of human rights abuses
What percentage of constituents signed the petition for a by election?
9.4%
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