The May elections have prompted increased interest in the idea of an electoral pact between Opposition parties, aimed at defeating the Conservatives. It seems likely that an agreed objective of this kind of a pact would be electoral reform, moving to … [Read more...] about Electoral pacts and the constitution by Andrew Blick
The constitution after coronavirus Dr. Andrew Blick King's College London; Senior Adviser, The Constitution Society The coronavirus emergency is profound in its constitutional implications. They involve both the immediate response and the … [Read more...] about The Constitution After Coronavirus – discussion paper by Andrew Blick
A Constitution Society report, ‘Good Chaps No More? Safeguarding the Constitution in Stressful Times’ by Andrew Blick and Peter Hennessy argues that recent turbulence affecting the British system of government has revealed flaws that require urgent … [Read more...] about Good Chaps No More? Safeguarding the Constitution in Stressful Times by Andrew Blick and Peter Hennessy
The authors argue that the British constitution seems to be in a more molten condition now than at any other point in anyone’s lived lifetime. The experience of Brexit has raised or reopened a host of questions. The British constitution is high on … [Read more...] about Brexit and the Melting of the British Constitution by Andrew Blick and Peter Hennessy
How resilient is our constitution? This question is becoming one of increasing pertinence in the UK. All democratic systems have within them protective mechanisms. One objective of these devices is to prevent abuses, such as violations of the rule of … [Read more...] about Populism and the UK Constitution by Andrew Blick
The constitutional implications of a second referendum The idea of a second EU referendum of some kind, though highly controversial, is now a prominent part of public debate in the UK. Whatever view one takes of the first vote, either of its … [Read more...] about The constitutional implications of a second EU referendum
Entrenchment in the UK Constitution - a written constitution by default? It is common in many political systems for some rules – especially those of a constitutional nature – to be afforded a special priority over others of a more regular nature, … [Read more...] about Entrenchment in the UK: A written constitution by default?
A highly topical research paper on Referendums and the Constitution by The Constitution Society, focusing on the use of referendums in the United Kingdom (UK). The June 2016 referendum on European Union membership lies at the centre of one of the … [Read more...] about Referendums and the Constitution
In the wake of the ‘leave’ outcome of the European Union (EU) referendum on 23 June, a key focus of interest is upon the manner in which the United Kingdom (UK) can give constitutional as well as legal effect to that outcome. Law is a necessary … [Read more...] about Using the Prerogative for Major Constitutional Change: The United Kingdom Constitution and Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union
In most democratic states, the mechanisms for constitutional change are clearly separated from mechanisms for enacting ‘ordinary’ legislation. They are also designed to make any significant alteration in existing constitutional arrangements a … [Read more...] about Distinguishing Constitutional Legislation: A modest proposal
