Constitutional Reform & Devolution
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 8.4.1
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
- 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.
Failure: electoral reform
- There has been no electoral reform for House of Commons elections.
- First Past the Post (FPTP) remains in place and can produce disproportionate outcomes.
- In 2024, Reform UK won 14.3% of the vote but secured only five seats, while Labour won a large majority on 33.7% of the vote.
Failure: House of Lords
- Despite major reforms, debate continues.
- The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026 removed the final hereditary peers, making the chamber fully appointed.
- However, the Lords remains unelected, and critics argue that a second chamber with legislative powers should have democratic legitimacy.
Fixed-term & electoral reform
- The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 limited the Prime Minister's ability to call early elections.
- However, it was repealed in 2022 by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act.
- Proportional systems are used in devolved elections, helping smaller parties gain representation.
Debate Over Further Devolution in England
There is debate over whether to extend devolution to the regions in England.
For further devolution
- Further devolution would improve accountability by bringing the government closer to people and communities.
- More devolution could help reduce regional economic inequalities and address the North–South divide.
- Devolution may increase political participation by giving voters greater influence over local issues.
- Having devolved governments would ensure regional problems are better addressed.
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.
- Public demand for regional assemblies has historically been limited, as shown by the North East referendum in 2004.
- Some argue that existing metro mayors already provide sufficient decentralisation.
Test yourself on Constitutional Reform & Devolution
Why might the House of Lords still be criticised?