Can we make referendums work? This pamphlet provides a brief overview for the perplexed and provides an understanding of how referendums operate before the vote on British membership of the European Union. The author holds that the two major … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Referendums
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Devolution
Constitutional Standards, Constitutional Change and EVEL
Today the Constitution Unit UCL, with the support of the Constitution Society, is publishing the second edition of ‘The Constitutional Standards of the House of Lords Constitution Committee’. The report, by Robert Hazell, Dawn Oliver and myself, … [Read more...] about Constitutional Standards, Constitutional Change and EVEL
A United Kingdom Constitutional Convention
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Reform, Decentralisation and Devolution in the UK has published its paper 'A Parliament for Reform 2015-2020' The paper includes the following proposed wording for inclusion in the manifestos of all parties at … [Read more...] about A United Kingdom Constitutional Convention
Financing Scotland: Is there a workable financial settlement for Scottish devolution?
The Better Government Initiative's latest report points out that the airy assurances given in the heat of the referendum debate, that financial devolution could go ahead while retaining the Barnett formula, may not prove so easy to deliver in … [Read more...] about Financing Scotland: Is there a workable financial settlement for Scottish devolution?
How not to change the constitution
Much of the media commentary on the Scottish referendum and its aftermath has focussed on the apparent poor judgement of the Westminster elite - and the prime minister in particular – in the negotiation of the Edinburgh Agreement and the subsequent … [Read more...] about How not to change the constitution
After the Referendum, Options For a Constitutional Convention
This publication was produced in partnership with Unlock Democracy. The pamphlet argued that, whatever the result of Scotland’s independence referendum, careful constitutional thinking would be needed. It examined how such constitution-making should … [Read more...] about After the Referendum, Options For a Constitutional Convention
Sir John Elvidge APPG Meeting On Scottish Referendum
The latest meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the British Constitution was honoured to have as its main speaker, Sir John Elvidge, former Permanent Secretary to the Scottish government 2003 - 2010. Sir John opened the discussion of the … [Read more...] about Sir John Elvidge APPG Meeting On Scottish Referendum
Judges, Politicians and the Contested Constitution
Conrad Russell once observed that the essential problem of the relationship between Scotland and England “could be defined by saying that England could brook no equal, and Scotland no superior.” … [Read more...] about Judges, Politicians and the Contested Constitution
Would the Conservatives benefit from Scottish independence?
A few weeks ago David Cameron attempted to seize the initiative over the question of Scottish independence by suggesting that the SNP should hold a referendum on this question sooner rather than later. Several reasons have been offered for Cameron’s … [Read more...] about Would the Conservatives benefit from Scottish independence?
The Weakest Link: The UK government’s legal argument for a binding referendum on Scottish independence runs counter to international and constitutional law
When Michael Moore stood at the Dispatch Box at Westminster on the 10th of January he had a simple message; Scotland's constitutional settlement rests with Westminster and Scottish independence would require the consent of London. It could be argued … [Read more...] about The Weakest Link: The UK government’s legal argument for a binding referendum on Scottish independence runs counter to international and constitutional law
Now We’re Talking: About The Scottish Referendum
This archive item is a window onto issues as they appeared at the time. It contains facts and opinions which may have been superseded by subsequent events. In an article originally posted on the UK Supreme Court Blog this month, Aidan O'Neill QC … [Read more...] about Now We’re Talking: About The Scottish Referendum
Wales faces vote as UK experiences referendum fever
[First Published on Tuesday 1st March 2011] This archive item is a window onto issues as they appeared at the time. It contains facts and opinions which may have been superseded by subsequent events. Whether the natural consequence of an evolving … [Read more...] about Wales faces vote as UK experiences referendum fever