Professor Richard Rawlings' new Constitution Society publication discusses the implications of Brexit for the balance of power between central and devolved governance in the context of regulatory frameworks. It shows how the issue involves not only … [Read more...] about Brexit and the Territorial Constitution: Devolution, Reregulation and Inter-governmental Relations
Publications
Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation in Relation to the UK’s Withdrawal from the European Union
This Constitution Society report examines the standards of parliamentary scrutiny of delegated legislation in relation to Brexit. The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill delegates powers to Ministers to make instruments for various purposes arising from … [Read more...] about Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation in Relation to the UK’s Withdrawal from the European Union
House of Commons Select Committees & the UK Constitution
Select Committees are a well-established part of the UK's political landscape. This paper by Constitution Society research fellow Lucy Atkinson is based on the qualitative responses from practitioners as well as historical research. The author … [Read more...] about House of Commons Select Committees & the UK Constitution
Government in 2017: Mandates, Manifestos and Coalitions
In light of the currently unstable parliamentary position, this Constitution Society pamphlet on Mandates, Manifestos and Coalitions by Thomas Quinn from 2014 provides an analysis of some of the issues involved. One of the most important … [Read more...] about Government in 2017: Mandates, Manifestos and Coalitions
Brexit & the UK Constitution – 2016/17 year in review
2016/17 has been a turbulent year politically. We saw a vote to leave the European Union (EU), a change of Prime Minister, a Supreme Court judgment imposing limits on the powers of the executive, the triggering of Article 50 and the call of a snap … [Read more...] about Brexit & the UK Constitution – 2016/17 year in review
Sir Thomas Legg on Government and the Rule of Law: Reflections on a Career at the Frontier
Text from a talk given by Sir Thomas Legg on Tuesday 9 May 2017, for History & Policy at King's College London. 'Government and the Rule of Law' is also available in an audio format here. Introduction This talk is going to be half-way … [Read more...] about Sir Thomas Legg on Government and the Rule of Law: Reflections on a Career at the Frontier
Entrenchment in the UK: A written constitution by default?
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?
Andrew Kennon’s extended notes on ‘Brexit and the House of Commons’ from our ‘Brexit and the Constitution’ Conference
These are extended notes from a talk given by Andrew Kennon at the Constitution Society’s seminar on ‘Brexit and the Constitution’, on 5 May 2017 at St Matthew’s Conference Centre, London. Andrew spoke on our 'Brexit and Parliament' panel, focusing … [Read more...] about Andrew Kennon’s extended notes on ‘Brexit and the House of Commons’ from our ‘Brexit and the Constitution’ Conference
Preparing for Brexit & The Great Repeal Bill: The Legislative Options
This paper examines the necessary steps for achieving the government’s objective of preserving EU law after Brexit, after the government has notified the European Union of its intention to cease to be a Member State. Part 1 examines the government's … [Read more...] about Preparing for Brexit & The Great Repeal Bill: The Legislative Options
Referendums and the Constitution
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
Is there a tension between Parliamentary Democracy and referendums?
Text of Nat le Roux’s presentation on Parliamentary Sovereignty at the McDougall Trust workshop, 9th November 2016: The governing norm of our constitution is the principle of Parliamentary Sovereignty, which means that Parliament is the supreme … [Read more...] about Is there a tension between Parliamentary Democracy and referendums?
Commentary by the Better Government Initiative: The Chilcot Report – Lessons for the Machinery of Government
The original article can be found on the Better Government Initiative website. THE CHILCOT REPORT: LESSONS FOR THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT A commentary by the Better Government Initiative Key Issues 1. The Chilcot report offers many lessons on … [Read more...] about Commentary by the Better Government Initiative: The Chilcot Report – Lessons for the Machinery of Government