One of the most significant constitutional developments since 1997 has been the rise of the parliamentary select committee. As a scrutiny mechanism, these bodies have become ever more prominent, with chair positions an increasingly attractive … [Read more...] about Is it Time to Reform the Intelligence and Security Committee?
The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) is a unique piece of constitutional law because of the way it interacts with other legislation. It can be used to evaluate whether other legislation is compatible with human rights law. In the first place, courts will … [Read more...] about UK Human Rights Violations and the Role of Parliament
With a Commons majority of 174, the new Labour government seems unassailable. Sir Keir Starmer could theoretically enact a policy programme entirely of his choosing without fear of being stymied by the parliamentary arithmetic. A powerful … [Read more...] about Can Labour Score ‘Quick Wins’ on Constitutional Reform?
On 30 May 2024, Parliament was dissolved in anticipation of the upcoming general election. While the Government must continue all essential business, convention requires the exercise of restraint with respect to any new or controversial policy … [Read more...] about How do parliamentary committees improve our democracy?
It’s fair to say that you would be hard pressed to find a Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition who didn’t want to win a big majority at a general election. Under the British system of parliamentary government, a party which wins a big majority … [Read more...] about What Happens When a Party Wins Big?
Last month I wrote a blog discussing the constitutional implications of the Post Office Bill (now the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024). In that blog, I argued that primary legislation was the most appropriate and … [Read more...] about Legislative Wash-Up: The Passage of the Post Office Act 2024
As MPs begin campaigning for the upcoming election, how should they interpret a vote in their favor? Is it merely a vote for their party’s platform, such that any coherent adult representing the same would win? Alternatively, it might be … [Read more...] about Crossing the floor: should we worry about MPs changing party?
Last month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told The Sun’s Harry Cole that Britain would leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if it would help to prevent the arrival of small boats of asylum seekers. Sunak said, “I believe that border … [Read more...] about Leaving the ECHR: A Realistic and Viable Proposal?
“It would really be simpler and more economical to keep a flock of tame sheep and from time to time drive them into the division lobbies in appropriate numbers”[1] So Christopher Hollis MP notoriously lamented in 1949 because MPs so rarely voted … [Read more...] about Institutional Incentives for Dissent? Rebellion in Parliament under First-Past-the-Post
Since the 2019 General Election, sixteen Members of Parliament have been suspended from the House of Commons, with some suspended for up to six weeks. Of that number, three were subsequently recalled by their constituents, and one more, the MP for … [Read more...] about Why are suspensions from the Commons on the rise?
Members of Parliament are under scrutiny as never before. Social media, the 24-hour news cycle and the growth of restless political activism all conspire to ensure our elected representatives can never be off duty. These factors have another effect … [Read more...] about Have MPs become ‘super-councillors’ when they should be legislators?
Last week’s furore over the Opposition Day debate on Gaza has put the office of Speaker of the House of Commons under the spotlight. Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s unusual decision to accept a Labour amendment to the SNP ceasefire motion has prompted … [Read more...] about The Future of the Speakership
