Constitutional Change Since 2015 (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Key constitutional changes since 2015

• In 2015, the Conservative Party won the general election, and remained in power until 2024

  • They introduced a range of reforms, some developing existing provisions and some rolling back previous developments

1. Brexit referendum (2016)

What it did

• A referendum was held on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union

• Turnout was around 72%, with 52% voting to leave and 48% voting to remain

Why it was introduced

• The last referendum on EU membership had taken place in 1975, leading to claims that a renewed democratic mandate was needed

• Support for UKIP had grown due to its policy of leaving the EU, posing a threat to the Conservative Party

• As a result, the Conservatives included a referendum pledge in their 2015 manifesto

Impact

• The UK left the European Union

• Parliamentary sovereignty was reasserted as EU law no longer had supremacy over UK statute law

Problems

• The referendum result was close, leaving the country politically divided

• It left Northern Ireland in a precarious position as the Republic of Ireland remained in the EU

• This ultimately resulted in the Northern Ireland Assembly being suspended over a failure to reach an agreeable Brexit settlement

2. Wales Act (2017)

What it did

• Moved Wales from a conferred powers model to a reserved powers model, allowing the Welsh Parliament to legislate on any matter not explicitly reserved to Westminster

Why it was introduced

• Wales gained primary legislative powers in 2011

• Moving to a reserved powers model brought Wales closer to the Scottish devolution settlement

Impact

• The Welsh Parliament was able to legislate over a wider range of policy areas

• The significance of this expanded power was particularly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Wales adopted different restrictions from England and Scotland

Problems

• Despite the growth in devolved powers, turnout at Welsh elections has remained low

3. English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) (2015–2021)

What it did

• Introduced a procedure in the House of Commons giving English MPs a greater say over legislation affecting only England

Why it was introduced

• Aimed to address the West Lothian Question, where MPs from devolved nations could vote on England-only matters

Impact

• In practice, EVEL was rarely used due to its procedural complexity

• Many pieces of legislation that appeared England-only had implications for devolved nations

Problems

• Fewer than 50 laws were voted on using EVEL procedures between 2015 and 2021

• EVEL was repealed in 2021, suggesting it failed to provide a workable solution

4. Elections Act (2022)

What it did

• Introduced a requirement for voters to show approved photographic identification at polling stations

Why it was introduced

• The government argued the Act would reduce electoral fraud and increase public confidence in elections

Impact

• The Act raised concerns about disenfranchisement

• There was a slight reduction in turnout among voters who lacked appropriate ID or arrived at polling stations without it

Problems

• According to the Electoral Commission, voter fraud in the UK was already extremely rare

• The Act potentially disenfranchised voters without identification, disproportionately affecting minorities and working-class voters

5. Public Order Act (2023)

What it did

• Expanded police powers to manage protests

• Introduced new criminal offences, including ‘locking on’

Why it was introduced

• Responded to disruptive direct action and public order concerns, particularly protests by groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil

Impact

• The Act intensified debate over the balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain public order