Introduction In the process of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union – Brexit – Northern Ireland has played a starring role. Although largely overlooked in the early stages of the process, the ‘unique circumstances’ and … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland: a constitutional exception and why it matters
With Parliament returning this week, the government will continue legislating on a range of constitutional issues, including the calling of UK general elections, political protest, and voter identification. Although its programme of constitutional … [Read more...] about The government’s approach to the UK constitution: cause for concern
In July, the government published its long-awaited Elections Bill which makes changes to the administration and conduct of elections with the stated aim of ensuring that ‘UK elections remain secure, fair, modern, inclusive and … [Read more...] about What is the Elections Bill? And why is it an issue?
Early in July, buried amidst the many reactions to the government’s Elections Bill, the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) published its report on regulating election finance, following a year-long inquiry to which the Electoral Reform … [Read more...] about How can we better regulate our elections?
I recently published with Oxford University Press UK Politics, a textbook aimed at undergraduates. When I began work on it in mid-2017, an important motivation was the sense that there was a need for a title that reflected many changes that were … [Read more...] about The ever-changing constitution
From nineteenth-century Irish home rule debates onwards there has been one consensus: the Union could not survive if England were allowed its own political identity or institutions of government. Winston Churchill said in 1912 that it would ‘tear the … [Read more...] about England and the Union: time to think again
The doctrine that the UK Parliament is sovereign and cannot bind its successors is at the heart of the UK constitution. It means that the government of the day can replace, amend or repeal with relative ease any constitutional legislation passed by … [Read more...] about So long, EVEL and the FTPA: one step forward, one step back?
The Internet is a subject of sustained public interest. There is intense discussion, in the UK as elsewhere, of its implications, and how we should respond to them. Both optimistic and pessimistic interpretations of the technology are possible, often … [Read more...] about The Internet and the constitution: an historical perspective
Job Title: Research Fellow Salary: £2,000 pcm Location: Westminster/Remote Length of Contract: 4 months fixed term The Constitution Society is looking to recruit a Research Fellow on a fixed-term appointment to research and write a … [Read more...] about New job opportunity: Constitution Society Research Fellow
The current Elections Bill before Parliament contains a range of measures which require careful consideration. Among the most concerning are steps which appear designed to limit the independence of the Electoral Commission. Among these are … [Read more...] about Elections Bill: a modest proposal to improve the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission
Baroness Taylor of Bolton, Chair of the House of Lords Constitution Committee Documents such as the Cabinet Manual, the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Code are an important part of the United Kingdom's constitutional framework and, … [Read more...] about An updated Cabinet Manual is needed to maintain public trust, ethical standards and our constitution
The furore around Matt Hancock’s resignation. The questions about who first paid for the Downing Street flat refurbishment. The outrage that followed lobbying by former prime minister David Cameron. A series of recent events have raised questions … [Read more...] about The prime minister can strengthen the system for upholding standards in government without giving up his role as the ultimate arbiter
