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 longer-term context. This paper is a preliminary discussion of some of the issues, arranged thematically. It is intended to inform further possible work in this field, the importance of which does not require explanation. It considers:
- The nature of the challenge
- The impact on constitutional priorities
- Emergency powers and the unwritten constitution
- The expansion of the socio-economic role of government
- Leadership and competitive politics
- The role of the Civil Service
- Executive accountability to Parliament and the courts
- The territorial constitution
- Communications and the constitution
- Long-term implications
This publication discusses law-making processes but does not question the content of laws. All laws and regulations should be adhered to.
This publication presents the personal views of the author and not those of The Constitution Society, which publishes it as a contribution to debate on this important subject.