Overview

This Constitutional Reform Bill proposes significant changes to the UK's governance, including withdrawal from the European Union, repeal of the Human Rights Act, increased parliamentary control over international treaties and military action, reform of the House of Lords, devolution of power to local authorities, and the introduction of binding referendums at both national and local levels.

Description

The bill encompasses several key areas of reform:

International Matters

• Repeals the European Communities Act 1972, effectively withdrawing the UK from the European Union.
• Repeals the Human Rights Act 1998.
• Requires parliamentary approval for all international treaties and military actions (except for limited emergency situations).

United Kingdom Parliament

• Limits the number of parliamentary constituencies to approximately 250.
• Establishes a fixed five-year parliamentary term, with general elections on the first Thursday in May.
• Caps the number of sitting days for the House of Commons at 100 per year (excluding extraordinary sittings).
• Sets MP salaries at £30,000 plus up to £170,000 in expenses, subject to annual reporting.
• Mandates a national referendum on House of Lords reform within seven years.

Regional and Local Democracy

• Devolves significant legislative power to local authorities, excluding reserved national matters (treasury, defence, foreign affairs, etc.).
• Allows local authorities to levy taxes and enact their own laws ("Local Authority Acts").
• Introduces binding local referendums.
• Requires a review of public bodies, with potential transfer of functions to local authorities.

Legislation

• Requires Parliament to consolidate legislation dealing with the same matter, simplifying existing laws.
• Limits the lifespan of Acts passed after the bill to five years.

Government Spending

The bill will likely increase government spending on referendums at both national and local levels. The proposed changes to MP expenses could also affect government spending, though the net effect is uncertain. Supplemental funding for local authorities is also provided for, but the exact amount is undetermined.

Groups Affected

• UK Citizens: Will be directly impacted by changes to human rights legislation, EU membership, parliamentary structure, and the introduction of binding referendums.
• Members of Parliament: Will experience changes to their salaries, expenses, and the length of their term.
• Local Authorities: Will gain significant new powers but also new responsibilities and financial pressures.
• Public Bodies: Face potential abolition or transfer of functions to local authorities.
• Businesses: May be affected by changes in national and local legislation.
• The Judiciary: Will no longer have judicial notice of decisions from the European Court of Justice.

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