Constitutional Reform

During this century we have witnessed a series of significant reforms - including right of women to vote, the introduction of life peers in the House of Lords, the reduction in the voting age to 18, and entry into the EEC (now the European Union).

The Government has proposed a programme of constitutional reform. In the Queen's Speech on May 14 the following measures were outlined:

• Referendums on Scottish devolution and on an elected Welsh assembly.

• Referendums on an elected authority and a mayor for London.

• Freedom of information legislation.

• Incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.

• The establishment of a select committee on parliamentary procedure.

The State of the Nation poll, published in 1995, showed high levels of public support for many constitutional reform proposals. Some 79% would like a written constitution, while 75% think that political parties should publish the identity of those who make large financial donations.

Different people place emphasis on different reforms.

Advocates of parliamentary reform argue that the current procedures need to be improved to produce better quality legislation, for example by giving more time and opportunities for Parliament to hear expert views.

Supporters of devolution argue that government is too centralised and that the House of Commons does not represent the views of people from particular parts of the UK. For example, in the 1992 general election only 11 of 72 Scottish MPs were Conservative, but Scotland was governed by a Conservative government for five years. In 1997, Scotland voted for no Conservative MPs at all. Scotland already has a separate legal and education system and many want to see a Scottish Parliament which would reflect the views of Scottish people.

However, supporters of an independent Scotland argue that devolution (which would mean that certain issues, such as economics, foreign policy and social security, remain the responsibility of the Westminster Parliament) does not go far enough.

Opponents of constitutional reform tend to believe that changing the system of government is an unnecessary diversion from the Government's business of running the economy, providing public services and fighting crime. Some also believe that particular reforms could damage the fabric of the UK constitution, undermining the powers of Parliament and risking the future of the United Kingdom.