Party conferences are weird things. Part political rally, part fund-raiser and part HR team-building exercise, they arguably fulfil none of these functions satisfactorily. And depending on one’s motivation for attending, the same conference can … [Read more...] about The Constitution at the Conferences: our Annual Review
Conservatives
Is the UK Subject to a Deep State? Liz Truss and the Civil Service
Politics has moved frenetically in recent weeks. There has been the appointment of a new First Minister in Scotland, the drama of England’s local elections, and, inevitably, countless headlines over the Government’s Rwanda plan as it entered the UK … [Read more...] about Is the UK Subject to a Deep State? Liz Truss and the Civil Service
Leaving the ECHR: A Realistic and Viable Proposal?
Last month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told The Sun’s Harry Cole that Britain would leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if it would help to prevent the arrival of small boats of asylum seekers. Sunak said, “I believe that border … [Read more...] about Leaving the ECHR: A Realistic and Viable Proposal?
Choosing party leaders
Introduction This is a blog about the constitutional issues at stake when it comes to the self-selecting memberships of political parties choosing party leaders and thus Prime Ministers.[1] As this blog is being drafted, there is some … [Read more...] about Choosing party leaders
HS2 and the constitutional issues of infrastructure
The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) is the Government’s centre of expertise, infrastructure and major projects. It gave HS2 an ‘unachievable’ rating in its latest Annual Report, where it noted huge issues around budget, … [Read more...] about HS2 and the constitutional issues of infrastructure
The constitution and the fiscal statement disaster
The self-inflicted difficulties of the Liz Truss government have a variety of constitutional dimensions. The advent of an administration willing and able to embark upon the recent disastrous course of action is attributable in part to various … [Read more...] about The constitution and the fiscal statement disaster
Party members choosing Prime Ministers – a constitutional concern?
On 5 September, the Conservative Party will announce its new leader, and Britain’s next Prime Minister. After five rounds of voting, Conservative MPs have narrowed the choice down to two candidates, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. But the final decision … [Read more...] about Party members choosing Prime Ministers – a constitutional concern?
The constitutional consequences of Mr. Johnson
Conservative politicians are currently busy distancing themselves from Boris Johnson. But he is more than just an unfortunate one-off episode in political history, as a consideration of his constitutional legacy demonstrates. Johnson brought his own … [Read more...] about The constitutional consequences of Mr. Johnson