Constitutional Change under Johnson

Summary

This video examines the constitutional changes made under Boris Johnson's government, including the repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act and English Votes for English Laws, as well as the impact of the Brexit deal on Northern Ireland. The presenter discusses Johnson's critical stance on devolution, particularly in Scotland, and his shift towards a 'levelling up' agenda within England. These changes reflect broader constitutional and political challenges in the UK, particularly around devolution, the role of the executive, and the union’s stability in the wake of Brexit and nationalist tensions.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Fixed-term Parliaments Act (2011-2022) has been repealed under Boris Johnson, restoring the Prime Minister's power to set election dates.
• 🏴‍☠️ English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) was repealed, removing the special voting process for laws affecting only England or England and Wales.
• 🇮🇪 Northern Ireland's constitutional position has shifted due to Brexit, creating an Irish Sea border and affecting UK-EU relations.
• 🏴 Boris Johnson criticized devolution, calling it a 'disaster' in Scotland and labeling Tony Blair's devolution project as a mistake.
• ⚖️ The Fixed-term Parliaments Act aimed to prevent the Prime Minister from choosing election dates for political advantage, but it was largely seen as ineffective due to multiple early elections.
• 🔄 Repealing EVEL raises questions about the imbalance between Scottish and English MPs and revives the West Lothian question.
• 🚧 The Northern Ireland Protocol aims to avoid a land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but it creates tension between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
• 📉 The UK-EU relationship is strained due to disagreements over the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, with potential legal conflicts.
• 🤝 Boris Johnson’s approach to devolution diverged from previous governments, favoring centralization and focusing on a 'leveling up' agenda primarily within England.
• 🏛️ Tensions with the Scottish National Party (SNP) have increased under Johnson, with frequent clashes over devolution and independence.

Q & A

What major constitutional changes occurred under Boris Johnson's government?

Under Boris Johnson, significant constitutional changes included the repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, the repeal of English Votes for English Laws (EVEL), and changes to Northern Ireland's status following Brexit, particularly with the introduction of a border in the Irish Sea.

What was the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, and why was it repealed?

The Fixed-term Parliaments Act, enacted in 2011, set a fixed five-year interval between general elections and limited the Prime Minister's power to call an election at will. It was repealed because it was seen as ineffective, as shown by the 2017 and 2019 elections occurring early. The act was criticized for limiting executive power and was removed to restore the Prime Minister's traditional prerogative.

What is English Votes for English Laws (EVEL), and why was it repealed?

English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) was a system where only MPs from England (or England and Wales) could vote on legislation affecting only those areas. It was intended to address the West Lothian question. EVEL was repealed because it created two tiers of MPs, and critics argued it undermined parliamentary unity.

How did the Northern Ireland Protocol affect the constitutional arrangement in the UK?

The Northern Ireland Protocol kept Northern Ireland aligned with EU regulations to avoid a hard border with the Republic of Ireland, which led to a de facto border in the Irish Sea. This has created tension, especially with unionist parties, who feel it threatens Northern Ireland's position within the UK.

What is the West Lothian question, and how did EVEL aim to address it?

The West Lothian question refers to the issue of MPs from devolved regions like Scotland voting on laws affecting only England, while English MPs have no say on devolved matters. EVEL was an attempt to address this by limiting the voting rights of non-English MPs on certain English-only issues.

What were the flaws in the Fixed-term Parliaments Act as revealed in 2019?

A flaw in the Fixed-term Parliaments Act was exposed in 2019 when the government could still trigger early elections by passing a special act with opposition support. This loophole showed that the act did not entirely prevent the government from calling elections at politically advantageous times.

How has Boris Johnson's attitude toward devolution differed from previous governments?

Boris Johnson has been less supportive of devolution compared to previous governments. He controversially called devolution a 'disaster' in Scotland and criticized it as Tony Blair's biggest mistake. His government has not worked closely with devolved administrations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How has the Brexit deal impacted Northern Ireland's relationship with the rest of the UK?

The Brexit deal created a trade border in the Irish Sea, which requires checks on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. This has strained Northern Ireland's relationship with the rest of the UK and caused significant discontent among unionist parties.

What is the impact of the removal of EVEL on the arguments for Scottish independence?

The removal of EVEL has been framed by the SNP as an example of English dominance over Scottish MPs, fueling arguments for Scottish independence. The SNP has criticized the removal as diminishing Scotland's voice in the UK Parliament and contributing to calls for a separate Scottish state.

What is Boris Johnson's 'leveling up' agenda, and how does it relate to devolution?

Boris Johnson's 'leveling up' agenda focuses on reducing regional inequalities within England by providing more localized devolution of powers to cities and regions. It is seen as his government's alternative to traditional devolution, aiming to empower local governments in England without broadening powers for devolved nations.