CONSTITUTION

Labour created it in 2005

2 pillars upholding the constitution

• Rule of law - all citizens equal under the law

• Parliamentary sovereignty - parliament is the ultimate political power and legislation cannot be overturned in that governments lifetime (5 years)

• monarchs power has declined since 1700s and majority of powers now lie with governments

• Prerogative powers

• Government majority creates little opposition

• Devolution

• Referendums

• International deals such as ECHR

• acts of parliament

• Eg freedom of information act 2011

The House of Lords should not block any legislation in the governments most recent manifesto

1956

• House of Lords - removed all hereditary peers except 92

• Devolution to Scottish and welsh parliaments and Northern Ireland assembly - attempt to reduce calls for independence

• Creation of the Supreme Court in 2005

• Human rights act in 1998

1998 - under Blair

1999 - reduced hereditary peers to 92

Dunblane shooting at a primary school in 1996 - adaptable constitution

• Scotland act of 1998

• Changed taxes but not defence powers

• Hopes for acceptance of uK didn’t work as SNP still pushing for independence

Andy Burnham wanted ore control over Manchester’s transport systems

• was unable to be deported to Jordan under ECHR

• Suggested that evidence obtained through torture was going to be used in trial

• 9 men detained following suspicion of terrorism

• Won their case in the House of Lords

• Government introduced legislation to detain potential terrorists for up to 28 days