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
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Parliament
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
The Reality of the British Constitution
A paper by David R. Howarth (University of Cambridge) and Shona Wilson Stark (Christ's College, Cambridge) is available online. It breaks new ground in its assessment of the British constitution. Using interviews with senior UK officials about their … [Read more...] about The Reality of the British Constitution
Unconstitutional Democracy?
Democratic legitimacy and the concentration of power Diagnosing the problem There is a very widespread view in Britain that our political culture is dysfunctional. According to the survey carried out for the Hansard Society’s 2013 Audit of … [Read more...] about Unconstitutional Democracy?
Risk Management Government Lawyers and the Provision of Legal Advice within Whitehall
Written by Dr Ben Yong the report looks into the important role that legal advice plays in the British political system. Here is an interview with Dr Yong to mark the launch of the report: Government lawyers are a powerful and influential … [Read more...] about Risk Management Government Lawyers and the Provision of Legal Advice within Whitehall
The Syria vote was a triumph of parliamentary sovereignty
There are several significant angles to last night's Commons vote on Syria. Foreign policy experts look at Britain’s role in the world and our relationship with the United States; domestic politicos look through the prism of party politics, asking … [Read more...] about The Syria vote was a triumph of parliamentary sovereignty
Freedom of Information – The Ultimate Tool for Transparency?
From everything from hospital ‘blunders’ to personalised number plates, one finds the Freedom of Information Act used to explore a variety of previously undisclosed areas. Many have celebrated the Act, which allows the public to request information … [Read more...] about Freedom of Information – The Ultimate Tool for Transparency?
Is it time to codify Parliamentary privilege?
There is little understanding of the concept of Parliamentary privilege outside Westminster. The term tends to arouse suspicion: privilege is against the spirit of the times - it smacks of unfairness and elitism. It did not help when some of the MPs … [Read more...] about Is it time to codify Parliamentary privilege?
How not to ‘do’ constitutional reform
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. The latest Coalition fall-out over Lord’s reform has highlighted the way in which … [Read more...] about How not to ‘do’ constitutional reform
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?
Summary of the UCL Public Seminar on the Parliamentary Boundaries Review
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. UCL Public Seminar Summary - Parliamentary Boundaries Review This seminar was conducted by … [Read more...] about Summary of the UCL Public Seminar on the Parliamentary Boundaries Review
EU debate leads to significant rebellion
[First Published on Tuesday 25th October 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. A backbench motion debate on Britain’s … [Read more...] about EU debate leads to significant rebellion