constitutional reform

   The uncodified, flexible nature of the British constitution allows it to adapt naturally to the need for change but there was a reluctance to introduce measures of constitutional reform for most of the twentieth century. Any major changes tended to come about because of a breakdown in the system, rather than from any conscious policy decisions (for example, the introduction of the Parliament Act 1911 following the rejection of the Liberal budget of two years earlier and the partition of Ireland in 1921 in order to avoid a civil war).

   A significant package of reforms had been agreed by New Labour and the Liberal Democrat Party prior to the 1997 election and following the election a series of changes were introduced. They fell into various categories, themes being democratisation (the attack on the hereditary principle in the House of Lords and the introduction of different electoral systems such as the partylist system for choosing Members of the European Parliament), decentralisation (the devolution of power to a Scottish Parliament and Welsh National Assembly), restoration of rights (the incorporation of the European Convention in the form of the Human Rights Act) and modernisation (reforms to the working hours of the House of Commons).

   The measures represent the most extensive instalment of constitutional change since the 1830s, their number and diversity being remarkable. However, not all of them have received a favourable reception and some critics lament the lack of any guiding theme underlying the package.

   See also: Constitutional Reform Act

   Further reading: K. Harrison and T. Boyd, The Changing Constitution, Edinburgh University Press, 2006