1.  starter activity Two-thirds of constitutions now in existence were drawn up since the end of WWII. Do you think the British constitution is too old-fashioned and out of touch?

2. Is the UK constitution in need of reform? To explain why there have been growing requests for constitutional reform To analyse the impact of recent constitutional changes  Aims

3.  Your task Read Watts, p.157-8 and list the reasons why some are calling for constitutional reform. Read Watts, p.157-8 and list the reasons why some are calling for constitutional reform.

4. Need for reform Desire amongst academics, ‘chattering classes, since 1960s Desire amongst academics, ‘chattering classes, since 1960s Failures with political institutions: nationalism, Troubles in N.I., economic turmoil, TU relations etc. Failures with political institutions: nationalism, Troubles in N.I., economic turmoil, TU relations etc. 1973, membership of EEC 1973, membership of EEC 1998, European Convention on Human Rights (allowing appeals to Strasbourg) 1998, European Convention on Human Rights (allowing appeals to Strasbourg) One- party dominance & presidential style leadership One- party dominance & presidential style leadership Erosion of local govt. powers Erosion of local govt. powers Quangos Quangos Reforms, e.g. HoL Reforms, e.g. HoL

5.  Your task Read Watts p.158 and list the attitudes of the following groups / individuals towards constitutional reform: Read Watts p.158 and list the attitudes of the following groups / individuals towards constitutional reform: Charter 88 Charter 88 Norton & Adonis Norton & Adonis The Conservative Party The Conservative Party Centre-Left parties (Labour & Lib-Dems) Centre-Left parties (Labour & Lib-Dems)

6. Charter 88 Written constitution Written constitution Elected second chamber (HoL) Elected second chamber (HoL) Bill of Rights Bill of Rights Reformed judiciary Reformed judiciary Members of the HoL during the state opening of Parliament

7. Norton & Adonis ‘Strengthen the existing framework, not destroy it’ (Norton) ‘Strengthen the existing framework, not destroy it’ (Norton) Strengthening of Parliament Strengthening of Parliament Abolition / reduction of quangos Abolition / reduction of quangos Devolving power to local level Devolving power to local level ‘Incremental reform to adapt Britain’s governing institutions to the times’ (Adonis) ‘Incremental reform to adapt Britain’s governing institutions to the times’ (Adonis)

8. Conservatives Traditionalists Traditionalists 1997, manifesto: ‘strength & stability of our Constitution – the institutions, laws and traditions that bind us together as a nation’ 1997, manifesto: ‘strength & stability of our Constitution – the institutions, laws and traditions that bind us together as a nation’ Danger in tampering with constitution Danger in tampering with constitution

9. Centre-Left Lab & Lib-Dem working party discussed reform prior to 1997 GE Lab & Lib-Dem working party discussed reform prior to 1997 GE Labour: government ‘centralised, inefficient & bureaucratic’ Labour: government ‘centralised, inefficient & bureaucratic’ Lib-Dems: electoral reform, PR Lib-Dems: electoral reform, PR

10.  Your task Some of the key changes introduced by New Labour in 1997 are listed below. Research the changes and produce an A4 Word document fact sheet for members of your class. Some of the key changes introduced by New Labour in 1997 are listed below. Research the changes and produce an A4 Word document fact sheet for members of your class. Freedom of Info Act (2005) Freedom of Info Act (2005) London Mayor and GLA London Mayor and GLA Human Rights Act (1998) Human Rights Act (1998) Modernisation of House of Commons Modernisation of House of Commons Reform of House of Lords Reform of House of Lords Devolved Assemblies Devolved Assemblies Constitutional Reform Act (2005) Constitutional Reform Act (2005)

11. Debate Debate You are going to hold a formal debate over the issue: ‘Does Britain need a written constitution?’ You are going to hold a formal debate over the issue: ‘Does Britain need a written constitution?’ Read the appropriate section of Watts, pp.161-2 and come up with a list of arguments for or against. Ask different members of your side to propose different points. We will then hold a boxing debate on the issue. The side which wins the most rounds of this debate will win overall. Read the appropriate section of Watts, pp.161-2 and come up with a list of arguments for or against. Ask different members of your side to propose different points. We will then hold a boxing debate on the issue. The side which wins the most rounds of this debate will win overall.

12.  Homework Have the reforms introduced by New Labour made a positive impact on the UK constitution? Create a scales chart to identify the positive and negative effects. Have the reforms introduced by New Labour made a positive impact on the UK constitution? Create a scales chart to identify the positive and negative effects.