8.4.1

Constitutional Reform & Devolution

Test yourself on Constitutional Reform & Devolution

After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Should Constitutional Reforms Since 1997 Be Taken Further?

There is a debate over whether the constitutional reforms since 1997 should be taken further. Some have arguably had success and resulted in democratic improvements, whilst others require further reform.

Successful reforms

Successful reforms

  • Successes include devolution and reform of the judicial system.
  • Devolution has been successful and supported in Scotland and Wales, whilst devolution has helped to ensure peace in Northern Ireland.
    • Regional devolution has led to power being decentralised.
  • The 2005 Constitutional Reform Act established a Supreme Court which is independent of parliament and the government.
Success: fixed-term & electoral reform

Success: fixed-term & electoral reform

  • Fixed-term elections have meant a check on the power of the executive and prevented the prime minister from calling a ‘snap’ election to gain a political advantage over others.
  • Proportional representation is used for elections to devolved assemblies, which has improved the representation of voters.
Failure: electoral reform

Failure: electoral reform

  • There has not been electoral reform away from first past the post (FPTP) for general elections to parliament.
  • FPTP remains in place which often results in outcomes which are unrepresentative.
    • In 2017 the SNP won 35 seats despite winning 3% of the vote, whilst the Liberal Democrats won 12 seats yet won over 7.4% of the vote.
Failure: House of Lords

Failure: House of Lords

  • Despite reforms to remove many hereditary peers and make the House of Lords a more professional chamber, further reform is arguably needed.
  • The chamber should arguably become a fully elected and more democratic chamber as it has powers to check legislation and the government.
  • The House of Lords remains entirely unelected and therefore undemocratic.

Debate Over Further Devolution in England

There is debate over whether to extend devolution to the regions in England.

For further devolution

For further devolution

  • Further devolution would improve accountability by bringing the government closer to people and communities.
  • More devolution would prevent significant differences in living standards between different parts of the UK.
  • Devolution may increase political participation.
  • Having devolved governments would ensure regional problems are better addressed.
Against further devolution

Against further devolution

  • Devolution could increase divisions in English society by promoting disunity.
  • Further devolution could result in too many elections taking place which causes voter apathy.
  • There is not significant demand for greater devolution in England.
Jump to other topics
1

Democracy & Participation

1.1

Representative & Direct Democracy

1.1.1Direct Democracy1.1.2Pros & Cons of Direct Democracy1.1.3Representative Democracy1.1.4Pros & Cons of Representative Democracy1.1.5Comparing Types of Democracy1.1.6Case for Democratic Reform1.1.7End of Topic Test - Types of Democracy1.1.8Top Grade AO3/4 - Types of Democracy
1.2

Wider Franchise & Suffrage

1.2.1History of the UK Franchise1.2.2Campaigns for Suffrage1.2.3End of Topic Test - Franchise & Suffrage
1.3

Pressure Groups & Other Influences

1.3.1Types of Pressure Group1.3.2Functions of Pressure Groups1.3.3How Pressure Groups Influence1.3.4Case-Study Examples1.3.5Other Collective Orgs & Groups1.3.6End of Topic Test - Pressure Groups & Influences1.3.7Application Questions - Pressure Groups
1.4

Rights in Context

1.4.1Development of Rights in the UK1.4.2The UK's Rights-Based Culture1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rights in Context
2

Political Parties

2.1

How Political Parties Work

2.1.1Functions & Features of UK Political Parties2.1.2Funding of UK Political Parties2.1.3UK Funding Reform2.1.4End of Topic Test - Political Parties2.1.5Top Grade AO3/4 - Political Parties
2.2

Established Political Parties

2.2.1The Conservative Party: History2.2.2The Conservative Party: Recent Leaders2.2.3The Labour Party2.2.4The Liberal Democrat Party2.2.5Ideas & Policies of UK Parties2.2.6End of Topic Test - Established Parties2.2.7Application Questions - Established Parties
2.3

Emerging & Minor Political Parties

2.3.1Minority Parties2.3.2Minority Parties Case Studies2.3.3End of Topic Test - Minor Parties
2.4

UK Political Parties in Context

2.4.1Different Party Systems2.4.2Political Spectrum2.4.3Factors Affecting Party Success2.4.4End of Topic Test - Parties in Context2.4.5Application Questions - Parties in Context
3

Electoral Systems

3.1

Different Electoral Systems

3.1.1FPTP & STV3.1.2AMS & SV3.1.3End of Topic Test - Electoral Systems3.1.4Top Grade AO3/4 - Electoral Systems
3.2

Referendums & How They Are Used

3.2.1Case For & Against Referendums3.2.2End of Topic Test - Referendums3.2.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Referendums
3.3

Electoral System Analysis

3.3.1Electoral System Analysis3.3.2End of Topic Test - System Analysis3.3.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Electoral System Analysis
4

Voting Behaviour & the Media

4.1

General Election Case Studies

4.1.1Case Studies of Elections4.1.2Factors Influencing Voting in Elections4.1.3End of Topic Test - Case Studies & Factors4.1.4A-A* (AO3/4) - Case Studies & Voting
4.2

Media Influence

4.2.1Media Influence4.2.2End of Topic Test - Media Influence
5

Conservatism

5.1

Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles

5.1.1Pragmatism & Tradition5.1.2Human Imperfection & Organic Society/State5.1.3Authority & Hierarchy5.1.4Paternalism5.1.5Empiricism5.1.6Anti-Permissiveness5.1.7Radical Conservative Ideas5.1.8End of Topic Test - Core Conservatism
5.2

Conservatism: Differing Views & Tensions

5.2.1Traditional Conservatism5.2.2One-Nation Conservatism5.2.3New Right Conservatism5.2.4End of Topic Test - Different Views
5.3

Conservative Thinkers & Ideas

5.3.1Thomas Hobbes & Edmund Burke5.3.2Michael Oakeshott & Ayn Rand5.3.3Robert Nozick5.3.4End of Topic Test - Conservative Thinkers5.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Conservatism
6

Liberalism

6.1

Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles

6.1.1Individualism & Freedom/Liberty6.1.2The State & Rationalism6.1.3Equality & Social Justice6.1.4Liberal Democracy6.1.5Other Important Liberal Ideas6.1.6End of Topic Test - Liberalism
6.2

Differing Views And Tensions Within Liberalism

6.2.1Classical Liberalism6.2.2Modern Liberalism6.2.3End of Topic Test - Tensions & Views
6.3

Liberal Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.1John Locke & Mary Wollstonecraft6.3.2John Stuart Mill & John Rawls6.3.3Betty Friedan6.3.4End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas6.3.5A-A* - Liberalism
7

Socialism

7.1

Socialism: Core Ideas & Principles

7.1.1Fraternity & Co-operation7.1.2Capitalism & Common Ownership7.1.3Communism7.1.4Collectivism7.1.5Common Humanity7.1.6Equality7.1.7Social Class & Workers' Control7.1.8End of Topic Test - Socialism
7.2

Differing Views And Tensions Within Socialism

7.2.1Differing Views And Tensions7.2.2End of Topic Test - Views & Tensions
7.3

Socialist Thinkers and Their Ideas

7.3.1Socialist Thinkers: Marx & Engels7.3.2Socialist Thinkers: Webb & Luxemburg7.3.3Socialist Thinkers: Crosland and Giddens7.3.4End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas7.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Socialism
8

The UK Constitution

8.1

Nature & Sources of UK Constitution

8.1.1Development of the UK Constitution8.1.2Nature of the UK Constitution8.1.3Sources of the UK Constitution8.1.4End of Topic Test - Nature & Sources
8.2

Constitutional Change since 1997

8.2.1Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 18.2.2Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 28.2.3Constitutional Reform 2010-15 & Reforms Since 20158.2.4End of Topic Test - Reform8.2.5Application Questions - Reform
8.3

Role & Powers of Devolved UK Bodies

8.3.1Devolution in England & Scotland8.3.2Devolution in Wales & Northern Ireland8.3.3End of Topic Test - Devolution
8.4

Debates on Constitutional Reform

8.4.1Constitutional Reform & Devolution8.4.2Should the Constitution Be Codified?8.4.3End of Topic Test - Reform Debates8.4.4Application Questions - Codification & Devolution
9

The UK Parliament

9.1

Houses of Parliament

9.1.1Houses of Parliament9.1.2Functions of the House of Commons9.1.3Functions of the House of Lords9.1.4End of Topic Test - Parliament9.1.5Top Grade AO3/4 - Parliament
9.2

Comparative Powers

9.2.1Comparative Powers of the Houses9.2.2End of Topic Test - Comparative Powers
9.3

Legislative Process

9.3.1Legislative Stages9.3.2Law-Making in the two Houses9.3.3End of Topic Test - Legislative Process
9.4

Parliament & Executive Interactions

9.4.1Backbenchers9.4.2Select Committees9.4.3The Opposition9.4.4Ministerial Question Time9.4.5End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive9.4.6Application Questions - Parliament & Executive
10

The Prime Minister & the Executive

10.1

The Executive

10.1.1Structure of the Executive10.1.2Roles of the Executive10.1.3Powers of the Executive10.1.4End of Topic Test - PM & Executive
10.2

Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.1Individual Ministerial Responsibility10.2.2Collective Ministerial Responsibility10.2.3End of Topic Test - Ministerial Responsibility
10.3

Prime Minister & the Cabinet

10.3.1Role of the Prime Minister10.3.2Prime Minister's Powers10.3.3Limits on the Prime Minister's Powers10.3.4Role of the Cabinet10.3.5Prime Minister & Cabinet: Relations10.3.6Prime Minister & Cabinet: Balance of Power10.3.7Prime Minister & Cabinet: Case Studies10.3.8End of Topic Test - PM & Cabinet10.3.9Top Grade AO3/4 - PM & Cabinet
11

Relationships Between Government Branches

11.1

The Supreme Court

11.1.1Role & Composition11.1.2Principles & Influence of the Supreme Court11.1.3End of Topic Test - Supreme Court
11.2

Parliament & Executive Relations

11.2.1Parliament & Executive: Questions11.2.2Parliament & Executive: Committees11.2.3Parliament & Executive: Voting11.2.4Executive Dominance Over Parliament11.2.5Balance of Power11.2.6End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive11.2.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Relationships Between Government
11.3

The European Union & the UK

11.3.1Aims & Policy Making of the European Union11.3.2End of Topic Test - EU & UK
11.4

Sovereignty in the UK Political System

11.4.1Sovereignty in the UK Political System11.4.2End of Topic Test - Sovereignty
12

US Constitution & Federalism

12.1

Nature of the US Constitution

12.1.1Nature of the US Constitution12.1.2Nature: Positives & Negatives12.1.3Constitutional Framework12.1.4The Amendment Process12.1.5End of Topic Test - Nature US Constitution
12.2

Principles of the US Constitution

12.2.1Federalism12.2.2Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances12.2.3Bipartisanship12.2.4Limited Government12.2.5End of Topic Test - Constitutional Principles
12.3

Federalism

12.3.1Main Characteristics12.3.2Federal Government and the States12.3.3End of Topic Test - Federalism
12.4

Interpretations & Debates

12.4.1Democracy in the Constitution12.4.2Federalism12.4.3End of Topic Test - Debates12.4.4A-A* (AO3/4) - US Constitution
13

US Congress

13.1

Structure of Congress

13.1.1Structure of Congress13.1.2Distribution of Powers13.1.3End of Topic Test - Congress Structure
13.2

Functions of Congress

13.2.1Representation13.2.2Legislative13.2.3Oversight13.2.4End of Topic Test - Functions of Congress
13.3

Interpretations & Debates

13.3.1Changing Roles & Powers13.3.2Changing Significance of Parties & of Powers13.3.3End of Topic Test - Debates13.3.4Application Questions - US Congress
14

US Presidency

14.1

Presidential Power

14.1.1Formal Sources of Presidential Power14.1.2Informal Sources of Presidential Power14.1.3Powers of Persuasion14.1.4End of Topic Test - Presidential Power
14.2

The Presidency

14.2.1President Relationship with Other Institutions14.2.2Limitations on Presidential Power14.2.3US Presidents Achieving Their Aims14.2.4End of Topic Test - Presidency
14.3

Interpretations & Debates of the US Presidency

14.3.1The Imperial Presidency14.3.2The President in Foreign Policy14.3.3End of Topic Test - Debates14.3.4A-A* (AO3/4) - US Presidency
15

US Supreme Court & Civil Rights

15.1

Nature & Role of Supreme Court

15.1.1Nature & Role of the Supreme Court15.1.2End of Topic Test - Nature & Role
15.2

Supreme Court Appointment Process

15.2.1Appointment Process15.2.2Supreme Court Membership15.2.3End of Topic Test - Appointments
15.3

The Supreme Court & Public Policy

15.3.1Supreme Court & Public Policy15.3.2End of Topic Test - Public Policy
15.4

Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights

15.4.1Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights15.4.2Race & Rights in Contemporary US Politics15.4.3End of Topic Test - Rights & Liberties
15.5

Debates & Interpretations of the Supreme Court

15.5.1Political Nature of the Supreme Court15.5.2Judicial Interpretation15.5.3Supreme Court Checks & Balances15.5.4End of Topic Test - Debates15.5.5Application Questions - The Supreme Court
16

US Democracy & Participation

16.1

Presidential Elections

16.1.1Presidential Elections16.1.2Primaries16.1.3National Party Conventions16.1.4End of Topic Test - Presidential Elections
16.2

Electoral College

16.2.1Electoral College System16.2.2Reforms16.2.3End of Topic Test - Electoral College
16.3

Electoral Campaigns

16.3.1Issues in Elections16.3.2End of Topic Test - Campaigns
16.4

Incumbency

16.4.1Elections & Incumbency16.4.2End of Topic Test - Incumbency16.4.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Elections & Electoral College
16.5

Democrats & Republicans

16.5.1National & State Level Organisation16.5.2Democratic & Republican Policies16.5.3Changing Party Significance16.5.4End of Topic Test - Democrats & Republicans
16.6

Internal Conflict & Ideology

16.6.1Types of Democrats16.6.2Types of Republicans16.6.3End of Topic Test - Internal Conflict
16.7

Support & Demographics

16.7.1Coalition of Supporters16.7.2End of Topic Test - Party Support
16.8

Interest Groups

16.8.1Political Significance of Interest Groups16.8.2Interest Group Influence & Impact on Democracy16.8.3End of Topic Test - Interest Groups16.8.4Application Questions - Parties, Ideology & Groups
17

Comparing Democracies

17.1

Theoretical Approaches

17.1.1Theoretical Approaches17.1.2End of Topic Test - Approaches
17.2

UK & USA Similarities & Differences

17.2.1Constitution: Nature17.2.2Constitution: Provisions & Principles17.2.3Federal System & Devolution17.2.4Legislative: Lower Houses of Government17.2.5Legislative: Upper Houses of Government17.2.6Legislative: Powers & Functions17.2.7Executive17.2.8Supreme Court17.2.9Supreme Court: Judicial Independence17.2.10Civil Rights17.2.11Civil Rights: Interest Groups17.2.12Party Systems & Parties17.2.13Campaign Finance & Pressure Groups17.2.14End of Topic Test - Comparing UK & US17.2.15Application Questions - UK & USA
18

Feminism

18.1

Feminism: Core Ideas & Principles

18.1.1Context of Feminism18.1.2Sex & Gender18.1.3Patriarchy & The Personal is the Political18.1.4Difference, Egalitarian & Intersectionality18.1.5Key Themes18.1.6End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles
18.2

Different Types of Feminism

18.2.1The Waves of Feminism18.2.2Socialist & Radical Feminism18.2.3Post-Modern Feminism18.2.4End of Topic Test - Different Types of Feminism
18.3

Feminist Thinkers & Their Ideas

18.3.1Charlotte Gilman & Simone de Beauvoir18.3.2Kate Millett18.3.3Sheila Rowbotham & bell hooks18.3.4End of Topic Test - Feminist Thinkers & Ideas18.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Feminism
19

Nationalism

19.1

Nationalism: Core Ideas & Principles

19.1.1Nations & Self-Determination19.1.2Nation-States & Culturalism19.1.3Racialism & Internationalism19.1.4Civic & Ethnic Nationalism19.1.5Liberal & Socialist Internationalism19.1.6Key Themes19.1.7End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles
19.2

Different Types of Nationalism

19.2.1Liberal & Conservative Nationalism19.2.2Post-Colonial & Expansionist Nationalism19.2.3Progressive & Regressive Nationalism19.2.4Inclusive & Exclusive Nationalism19.2.5End of Topic Test -Different Types of Nationalism
19.3

Nationalist Thinkers & Their Ideas

19.3.1Jean-Jacques Rousseau & Gottfried von Herder19.3.2Giuseppe Mazzini & Charles Maurras19.3.3Marcus Garvey19.3.4End of Topic Test - Nationalist Thinkers & Ideas19.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Nationalism

Practice questions on Constitutional Reform & Devolution

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Failings of constitutional reform:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Why might the House of Lords still be criticised?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    The case for further devolution:Fill in the list
Answer all questions on Constitutional Reform & Devolution

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

End of Topic Test - Devolution

Should the Constitution Be Codified?