When an updated version of the Ministerial Code was published last month, most of the headlines focused on the idea that the under-pressure Prime Minister had watered down the Code in order to save his own skin. As constitutional observers were quick … [Read more...] about Upholding standards in public life: the presidential and ‘pragmatic populist’ challenges
Constitutional principles
The Conservative constitutional turn
The UK government policy of deporting refugees to Rwanda has created tension between it and prominent individuals from outside the party-political arena. Most recently, it was reported that the Prince of Wales (not a complete stranger to controversy) … [Read more...] about The Conservative constitutional turn
The political constitution: an idea worth understanding
Is the political constitution a concept worth protecting? The Constitution Society has published a new report examining the idea of the political constitution in the United Kingdom, in which I answer this question with a qualified ‘yes’. It argues … [Read more...] about The political constitution: an idea worth understanding
The government’s approach to the UK constitution: cause for concern
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
NEW INITIATIVE: United Kingdom Constitution Monitoring Group
The Constitution Society is supporting a new initiative: the United Kingdom Constitution Monitoring Group (UKCMG). The UKCMG was formed in 2020 in the light of sustained controversies surrounding arrangements for the governance of the UK. Its … [Read more...] about NEW INITIATIVE: United Kingdom Constitution Monitoring Group