Constitutional Change From 2010 - 2015 (Coalition) (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Constitutional change under the Coalition

• The Coalition government (2010–2015) was formed after the general election returned a hung Parliament

  • Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties agreed to share power and govern jointly through a negotiated coalition agreement.

• The 2010–2015 Coalition government introduced a series of constitutional reforms

  • These were shaped by compromise between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties

  • They reflected both attempts to limit executive power and the political realities of governing without a majority

1. Fixed-term Parliaments Act (2011)

What it did

• Introduced fixed five-year parliamentary terms

• Removed the Prime Minister’s ability to call elections at a politically advantageous moment without Commons approval

Why it was introduced

• Reduced partisan advantage in election timing

• Helped secure the stability of the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition

Impact

• Limited prime ministerial powers

• The 2015 election occurred as scheduled

Problems

• Early elections were still held in 2017 and 2019 after two-thirds Commons approval

• This arguably violated the spirit of the Act

• The Act was repealed in 2022, restoring election-calling powers to the Prime Minister

2. Scottish Independence Referendum (2014)

What it did

• Asked whether Scotland should become independent

• Turnout was nearly 85%, with 55% voting to remain in the UK

Why it was introduced

• Growth of the SNP at Holyrood

• Independence was central to SNP policy following devolution

Impact

• Although independence was rejected, further devolution followed

• The Scotland Act 2016 affirmed the Scottish Parliament as a permanent part of the UK constitution

Problems

• The referendum did not settle the independence debate

• Brexit reignited calls for a second referendum, as Scotland voted to remain in the EU

3. Recall of MPs Act (2015)

What it did

• Allowed constituents to trigger a by-election if their MP was suspended from Parliament for at least 10 sitting days or received a prison sentence

Why it was introduced

• Responded to the 2009 parliamentary expenses scandal

• Previously, MPs could only be removed at general elections

Impact

• The Act has been used six times

• Four cases resulted in by-elections, all of which elected a new MP

Problems

• In one case, the required 10% signature threshold was not reached

• In another, the MP resigned before the process concluded