The judgement of MPs In a much-quoted speech in 1774, Edmund Burke, newly elected Member of Parliament for Bristol, argued 'Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he … [Read more...] about Free votes: a democratic ideal?
Having thus taken each citizen in turn in its powerful grasp and shaped men to its will, government […] covers the whole of social life with a network of petty, complicated rules that are both minute and uniform. – Alexis de Tocqueville, The New … [Read more...] about The State of our Failings: Failed State – why nothing works and how we fix it, by Sam Freedman (Macmillan, 2024)
On the 14th October, Attorney General Lord Hermer KC gave his 2024 Bingham Lecture “The Rule of Law in an Age of Populism”. In it, Lord Hermer advocated for the “restoration and resilience” of the rule of law, to operate as a bulwark against … [Read more...] about On the Attorney General’s 2024 Bingham Lecture
In March of this year, the then Conservative Government introduced a new definition of extremism, designed to revise the principles set out in 2011’s Prevent strategy. The current definition prohibits “ideology based on violence, hatred or … [Read more...] about It’s already time to revise the UK’s new extremism definition
In October 2022, members of the protest group Led by Donkeys climbed the wall of the Georgian townhouse at 55 Tufton Street in Westminster, home to the offices of a number of ‘think tanks’ close to Liz Truss’s new Conservative government. They … [Read more...] about The Changing Think Tank Environment
Introduction Whether politics has been subject to presidentialisation or Prime Ministerialisation within the United Kingdom’s parliamentary system is an ongoing debate. In my fellowship report for the Constitution Society, I … [Read more...] about Reversing the semi-presidency: are Labour’s proposals enough?
The state opening of Parliament typically begins with a speech given by the Monarch, where the Government outlines its upcoming political and legislative priorities. The first speech following a general election sets the tone for the new … [Read more...] about The Government’s New Legislative Agenda
One of the most urgent matters on the desk of new Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn is the redevelopment of the west-Belfast sports stadium, Casement Park. The Prime Minister is reported to have told the football governing body, UEFA, that he … [Read more...] about The Constitutional Implications of the Casement Park Upgrade
How far can, and should, a change of government extend? This question has reared its head in the early days of the new Labour Government over various appointments to the civil service and some other jobs. The most prominent had been the … [Read more...] about How much do we need to “change government”?
The King’s Speech saw Labour announce plans to ‘establish a new framework for English devolution, moving power out of Westminster and back to those who know their areas best’. Labour intends to both deepen devolution by affording more powers to … [Read more...] about Five Questions on the Future of English Devolution
If you follow politics, you’ll probably have heard the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster mentioned from time to time, without what the office is or what its holder does being explained. And it might seem strange that Pat McFadden, who played a … [Read more...] about What does the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster do?
Introduction: During the recent state opening of parliament, the new Labour Government confirmed their intention to enact primary legislation imposing a statutory duty of candour on all public servants and authorities. Although public authorities … [Read more...] about A Duty of Candour? The Government’s new Proposals Examined
