Elected mayors Who passed reform What did the reform allow for What is the additional change proposed 3 problems associated with local gov

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There are four content areas in UK Politics:
1. Democracy and participation
2. Political parties
3. Electoral systems
4. Voting behaviour and the media.

1. Elected mayors Who passed reform What did the reform allow for What is the additional change proposed 3 problems associated with local gov

The Labour government of 1997 were enthusiastic in reforming local government - Cities, towns and districts were given the choice to have a referendum on an elected mayor - Few chose to and only 11 voted in favour - Also given the opportunity to change to a cabinet system where a central cabinet of councillors from the dominant party take control of the councils work and make key decisions - Most rejected such a proposal 3 problems associated with local government: - lack of autonomy from central government - lack of accoutability to local electorate - lack of public interest in local government and politics
1. Executive dominance - MPs are mindless and simply do as the party whips tell them and hope one day that their loyalty will be rewarded by a ministerial position -> This is true of many MPs but there are also numerous independent minded MPs who are willing to put their beliefs and principles above party interests 2. Backbench MPs - Backbench MPs are powerless in the face of the frontbeches -> they have little or no influence over legislation and fail to bring government effectively to account 3. Debates - Parliamentary debates are often sparely attended, suggesting MPs lack interest in public policy -> much of the work of MPs is carried out behind the scenes in committees
Devolution is a term referring to the division of powers among regions of the country, while actual sovereignty remains with Parliament - Delegation of power, but not sovereignty - Although we do not expect the devolved powers to return to westminster in the near future, it is not the same as a federal settlement which distributes power through the entrenched constitution, as in US - Some have argued that as the power devolved was decided through the use of referendums, the powers are in fact entrenched - This is because it is considered unthinkable that devolved power would return to westminster without a confirmatory referendum -> this kind of semi-entrenched system has become know as quasi-federalism - Unlike federalist systems, the power devolved within the UK has been unequal -> the Scottish government in particular, has been granted more power than Wales and N Ireland. This is known as asymmetric devolution
The UK Parliament is said to be legally sovereign, this means the following: - Parliament is the source of all political power, no body can exercise power unless granted so by Parliament - Parliament can restore devolved power back to itself, as it has done w N Ireland - Parliament can make any laws it wishes and they shall be enforced by the courts and other authorities, omnicompetent - Parliament is not bound by its predecessors, laws passed by Parliament in the past are not binding on the current Parliament. Existing laws may be amended or repealed at will - Parliament cannot bind its successors, this means that the current parliament cannot pass any laws that will prevent future parliaments from amending or repealing them. Laws are not entrenched

Elected mayors Who passed reform What did the reform allow for What is the additional change proposed 3 problems associated with local gov

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Elected mayors Who passed reform What did the reform allow for What is the additional change proposed 3 problems associated with local gov

❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know? Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson© 2026 Fatskills.com

All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know?
Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com