To what extent did the Liberals, Conservatives, IPP, the Ulster Unionists and the Southern achieve their political objectives during the Home Rule crisis of 1912-14? During the third Home Rule bill crisis of 1912-1914 there was many differing objectives among those who lived in Ireland and those in Westminster who governed Ireland. The Liberal Party and the Irish Parliamentary Party, otherwise known as the IPP, wanted Home Rule for all of Ireland. However the Conservative Party and Ulster and Southern Unionists wanted to prevent Home Rule completely. Home Rule for Ireland meant that an Independent Irish Parliament would stand in Dublin to govern Irish affairs, still having an Irish representation in Westminster, whilst Westminster would govern all issues to do with the crown, defence and imperial government.
Explain custom and its role in Scots law. 1. Scotland is a part United Kingdom and does not have its own right to make a law without approval. As a part of United Kingdom Scotland has a right to make decisions under only certain legislations. There is also a higher power on top of UK which is European Union that needs to approve any decisions of law making made by UK.
A great deal of the American public became extremely paranoid, and the general atmosphere of the era was nihilistic due to fear of Communist infiltration. McCarthy successfully exploited the relevant situation in order to rise in power; he became considerably popular in the media and gained a reputation as a fear monger. Therefore, when television reporter Edward R. Murrow of See It Now gradually exposed McCarthy for his unethical use of the media, he was commonly viewed as the only one brave enough to speak out against him. The plan worked, but at a great cost. McCarthy eventually lost much of his power, but due to financial troubles with NBC, See It Now was discontinued.
Recent changes to the UK constitution have raised questions as to whether or not parliament retains its sovereignty as the supreme law making body. These changes include the UK becoming a part of the European Union and the devolution of Scotland and Wales, although theoretically these should not affect the principle of parliamentary sovereignty. Parliamentary sovereignty has always been the basis in the UK constitution. AV Dicey set out the definitive statement of parliamentary sovereignty in his Introduction to the Study of the Law and the Constitution, 1885. This identified three elements to the UK constitution: 1.
Additional member system is used in the Scottish Parliament elections and is a hybrid voting system. It is a mixed system combining elements of FPTP where voters mark an X next to the candidate
It allows people to have their say which could affect them personally, for example the referendum which will determine whether Scotland become an independent state next year. Having more referenda would reduce government power. It would mean that government has checks and limits their power as they have handed it over to the electorate. This means that citizens are protected against the danger of over-mighty government. Referenda are so important, particularly when the issue is over a constitutional change.
Finance, legislation and devolution seem to be at the very core of everything in the world of UK and Scottish politics, but just how much do Holyrood and Westminster actually get on? Legislation plays a key role in the relationship between Holyrood and Westminster and can sometimes cause breakdowns involving the two, and in 1998 the UK Government announced that a convention would be established so that Westminster would not normally legislate on devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament. This was called the “Sewel Motion”, now a Legislative Consent Motion and proved to be a huge success between the two governments. Scottish Ministers can also provide support to UK Government Ministers. This happened under the leadership of the former Labour First Minister Jack McConnell as he felt that it would be appropriate for the Scottish Government to give aid to Malawi.
It has been suggested that poor voter turn-out in elections, declining party membership together with a disproportionate voting system for Westminster Elections, an un-elected House of Lords, the undue influence of elitist pressure groups and government assaults on our civil liberties suggest that we are suffering from a democratic deficit. However, we need to beware of ignoring those ways in which our democracy has shown itself capable of modernisation; for example through proposals to reform the Lords, devolution, the greater use of referendums and the way in which E Petitions have proved so popular with the public. Critics of British democracy point out that only 34% of 17/18 year olds are registered to vote, while in 2001 only 59%
Direct democracy is a “form of democracy that is based on the direct and unmediated and continuous participation of citizens in the tasks of government.”3. Examples of direct democracy include; joining pressure groups, taking part in referendums and contacting local MPs. This essay will be assessing the advantages of direct democracy. Increased Political Participation. Direct democracy allows the electorate to have more opportunities to take part in the political process, as forms of direct democracy such as referendums, canvassing, protesting, joining pressure groups and boycotting products; allow for the electorate to choose a form of participation rather than only being able to vote after governmental terms are served by parties, therefore direct democracy would moot Jean Jacques Rousseau's opinion that “The English people believes itself to be free; it is gravely mistaken; it is free only during election of members of parliament”4.
The Scotland act 1998 is the Act which established the devolved Scottish Parliament, Cannot legislate on areas of law reserved to WM SP devolved powers: Environment, Education, Housing WM Reserved Powers: Employment, Immigration, Social security Sources of Scots Law: Statutory Law (Legislation) Statutory Law is laws/acts passed by a body with Legislative Powers (different bodies make laws on different areas) Acts of Parliament made by both WM & SP Prior to Scotland Act 1998 WM would pass certain laws which only applied to Scotland e.g. Divorce (Scotland) Act 1976 Delegated Legislation: allows Government to makes changes to a law without pushing through a new act of parliament (level of a fine) Consists of Orders, Rules and regulations