The AV referendum and changing the constitution
This month we're focussing on constitutional reform, after the recent AV referendum. On 5 May, two thirds of people who took part in the referendum were against changing the voting system for UK general elections from first past the post to the alternative vote. But what will this mean for the UK? Members of the House of Lords give their views on the referendum outcome below.
And constitutional reform isn't just about voting systems. Other important change could include introducing fixed term parliaments and reforming the House of Lords - so keep reading.
If your students were reforming the constitution, what would they change?
From Susan, Alice and the team at Parliament's Education Service
In one minute: the AV referendum
We gave two Members of the House of Lords one minute to answer the question: 'What do you think the outcome of the alternative vote referendum means for the future of British politics?'
More about referendums...
Explore referendums in your classroom
ACT: Choose an issue and carry out a referendum in your school
ASK: How do you phrase a referendum question fairly? View the guidance from the Electoral Commission
DEBATE: Should we hold more referendums in the UK? Use our prompt cards, with some of the main pros and cons of referendums, to spark your debate.
Download the prompt cards
You can also watch videos of Lord Tyler and Lord Winston giving their views about whether referendums should be held more regularly.
Fixed-term parliaments
The Fixed-term Parliaments Bill is being considered by the House of Commons and House of Lords at the moment. The government intends to fix the date of the next general election at 7 May 2015 and for future elections to take place every five years in normal circumstances. It would be possible for a general election to take place earlier, but this would be more difficult than at the moment when the prime minister is able to call an election at any point within five years of the previous one. The change was part of the coalition agreement between the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.
Some of the key issues could be:
- How long should a parliament last?
- Should the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill only apply to the current parliament or future parliaments as well?
- Will fixed-term parliaments lead to longer election campaigns and a greater chance of 'lame duck' governments?
- Will fixed-term parliaments make the election process fairer as the government can no longer choose to call a general election when they are doing best in the polls?
How long do your students think a parliament should last?
Find out more:
House of Lords reform
In the Coalition Agreement, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats agreed to reform the House of Lords so that it is partly or wholly elected using proportional representation. The government has just introduced a draft bill to be debated by Parliament.
Some of the key issues could be:
- If both Houses are elected and have a democratic mandate, will that affect the supremacy of the House of Commons?
- Will the House of Lords become more party political?
- What will happen to existing Peers?
- Will there be fewer Peers who have expertise in specialist fields?
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP, unveiled his plans for House of Lords reform on 17 May. Watch his statement to the House of Commons and read details of the proposals.
Find out more on these web pages:
Other news from Parliament
Some of the top stories this month:
The Health and Social Care Bill is on hold to allow further consideration of the government's plans to make GPs responsible for commissioning more services.
The UK continues to participate in enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya.
The government has selected a design of submarine to replace the existing Vanguard Class nuclear submarines, and has approved the investment.
What do your students think about these issues?
Who am I? - This month's guest: Graham Allen
'I was elected by all MPs to be the Chair of the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee, the newest select committee, created to keep check on the work of Nick Clegg, who has special responsibility for constitutional reform.
'I have striven for reform throughout my parliamentary career, above all to strengthen our directly elected parliament and to hold to account our over powerful government which isn’t yet directly elected.
'My committee is looking into the pros and cons of a written constitution, the powers of the prime minister, independence for local government, Parliament’s role in going to war and electing our second chamber, the House of Lords.
'Things you won't know about me:
'I twice bowled out the legendary West Indian cricketer, Sir Garfield Sobers and was the first Labour MP to score a century for the Lords and Commons, Parliament's cricket team.
'Ahead of the war in Iraq I played a leading part in getting Parliament recalled and organising the two largest rebellions within a governing party in British political history.
'When studying my masters degree in Political Sociology from Leeds University I was taught by David and Ed Miliband’s father, Ralph.'
Tell us what you think
As this is the first edition of Central Lobby, we would love to hear your views. What did you find most useful in this newsletter and what would you like to see more of next time? Tweet your replies #CentralLobby or email us.