Over the past few years growing concerns have been expressed about weaknesses in the United Kingdom’s constitutional arrangements. In response to the upheavals generated by Brexit, the draconian measures necessitated by the Coronavirus pandemic and … [Read more...] about Two Approaches to Constitutional Vulnerability
Electoral reform
The case for compulsory voting in the UK
British democracy is based on the principle of representation. Our governments must command the support of a majority of the House of Commons, which, because it is directly elected by universal suffrage, is regarded as representative of the public. … [Read more...] about The case for compulsory voting in the UK
May the 4th be with them! Voter ID is no longer far, far away
Fair elections are the basis from which we choose our representatives to send to the local council or even to Parliament. This might seem something of a statement of the obvious, but people rarely realise that the methodology of such elections has … [Read more...] about May the 4th be with them! Voter ID is no longer far, far away
Recent developments and future prospects in Welsh devolution: part one
Introduction For well-understood reasons given the history of Northern Ireland and the prevailing political circumstances in Scotland, discussion by journalists and academics of constitutional developments in the UK tends to focus on prospects for … [Read more...] about Recent developments and future prospects in Welsh devolution: part one
Electoral pacts and the constitution: could a pact be successful?
In the wake of last month’s elections, questions began to be asked about the prospect of an opposition electoral alliance. The Labour Party lost a number of councils and the Hartlepool by-election, suggesting it faces immense challenges in seeking to … [Read more...] about Electoral pacts and the constitution: could a pact be successful?