Constitutional Reform 2010-15 & Reforms Since 2015

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Constitutional Reform 2010-2015

From 2010 to 2015 constitutional reforms have included introducing fixed-term parliaments, further devolution to Wales and elected mayors and police commissioners.

Fixed-term parliaments

The 2011 Fixed-term Parliaments Act set five-year periods between general elections.
The Act removed the prime minister’s power to call an election at will.
Early elections could only happen if:
- Two-thirds of MPs in the House of Commons voted for it, or
- A vote of no confidence in the government passed.

Fixed-term parliaments example

Example: In 2017, Theresa May called a general election because two-thirds of MPs voted in favour.
The Fixed-term Parliaments Act was repealed by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, restoring the Prime Minister's prerogative power to call an election, but it applied during 2010–2015.

Further devolution to Wales

Lawmaking powers were extended to the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament)as a result of the Government of Wales Act 2014.
The Government of Wales Act 2014 gave the Welsh government control over some taxes, such as business taxes, and included the provision for a referendum in Wales to decide whether its national government could have some control over income tax.
- The referendum requirement was later removed by the Wales Act 2017, with Welsh income tax devolution taking effect from April 2019.

Elected mayors and commissioners

The 2010-2015 coalition government introduced elected mayors in many cities across England.
The new position of Police and Crime Commissioners was introduced, with commissioners having responsibility for policing quality across England and Wales.
Police commissioners have been elected using a supplementary vote system.

Major Reforms Since 2015

Since 2015 reforms have included further devolution to Scotland, devolution to cities outside London and the recall of MPs.

Further devolution to Scotland

In 2016 there was a further devolution of powers to Scotland which included powers over some taxes, welfare and the power to vary the levels of income tax.
- This devolution of financial powers to Scotland was called ‘devo-max’.
More powers were granted to Scotland in response to the increased nationalist feeling across Scotland after the 2014 independence referendum.

Recall of MPs

The 2015 Recall of MPs Act gave constituencies the power to recall any MP who had acted inappropriately or misbehaved.
For an MP to be recalled, over 10% of constituents need to support a petition in favour of it.
- Since the Act's passage, four MPs have been successfully recalled, including Fiona Onasanya (2019) and Peter Bone (2023).

Devolution outside London

From 2015, the Conservative government gave more powers to larger cities.
The government granted cities greater financial independence by enabling them to keep revenue from business rates so they could fund local projects and policies.
In 2016, Manchester was given the power to control its own budget for social care and for healthcare.
- Andy Burnham became the first elected Metro Mayor of Greater Manchester in May 2017; the model has since expanded to several other English city regions.