Law and Rights
The previous Labour government introduced some major constitutional reforms. These included devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Human Rights Act 1998. They set up a Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) - which later morphed into the Ministry of Justice - and there were numerous constitutional initiatives such as the creation of the Supreme Court of the U.K. and major changes to the role and status of the Lord Chancellor. They also looked at a number of areas but actually did little - e.g. reform of the role of the Attorney-General and a review of "Royal Prerogative Powers" which are, in practice, really common law executive powers.
The new "coalition government" also seems hell bent on some constitutional reforms including fixed term parliaments and the alternative vote (about which there may be a referendum). Further reform of the House of Lords is also on the agenda (despite the creation of many new peers since the general election).
Should all these constitutional reforms be done in this piecemeal manner? Maybe there should be some form of "constitutional convention". Have a read of what Joshua Rozenberg has to say in the Law Society Gazette. I tend to agree with him. Do you?
- A Constitutional Imbroglio ?
The question of what will happen in the event of a further "hung" Parliament continues to be asked. Writing in the Law Society Gazette 4th May, Joshua Rozenberg looks at the possibilities - A constitutional imbroglio. The article also...
- Lord Neuberger ~ Two Interesting Speeches
Update - Addendum 15th October - A "Constitutional Convention" to address further reform? The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (Lord Neuberger) has delivered a couple of rather interesting speeches. Please read them...
- Labour Party Conference ~ Speech By Sadiq Khan Mp (shadow Justice Secretary)
At the Labour Party Conference held in Manchester (20th - 24th September), the Shadow Justice Secretary delivered a short speech which may be read here. One clear difference emerged from the stance, at least to date, of the Conservative Party. ...
- A Written Constitution For The United Kingdom? Have Your Say ...
Writing in the Law Society Gazette 21st July 2014, Joshua Rozenberg takes a look at a report by the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee of the House of Commons. This is a lengthy report of 423 pages - A New Magna Carta? Second Report of...
- Dissolution: A Constitutional Wash Up?
In English history Parliaments were sometimes given names such as the Long Parliament and the Rump Parliament. I wonder what people might call the present Parliament? Maybe, the Expenses Parliament? It was first summoned...
Law and Rights
Constitutional Tinkering .... continues .........
The new "coalition government" also seems hell bent on some constitutional reforms including fixed term parliaments and the alternative vote (about which there may be a referendum). Further reform of the House of Lords is also on the agenda (despite the creation of many new peers since the general election).
Should all these constitutional reforms be done in this piecemeal manner? Maybe there should be some form of "constitutional convention". Have a read of what Joshua Rozenberg has to say in the Law Society Gazette. I tend to agree with him. Do you?
- A Constitutional Imbroglio ?
The question of what will happen in the event of a further "hung" Parliament continues to be asked. Writing in the Law Society Gazette 4th May, Joshua Rozenberg looks at the possibilities - A constitutional imbroglio. The article also...
- Lord Neuberger ~ Two Interesting Speeches
Update - Addendum 15th October - A "Constitutional Convention" to address further reform? The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (Lord Neuberger) has delivered a couple of rather interesting speeches. Please read them...
- Labour Party Conference ~ Speech By Sadiq Khan Mp (shadow Justice Secretary)
At the Labour Party Conference held in Manchester (20th - 24th September), the Shadow Justice Secretary delivered a short speech which may be read here. One clear difference emerged from the stance, at least to date, of the Conservative Party. ...
- A Written Constitution For The United Kingdom? Have Your Say ...
Writing in the Law Society Gazette 21st July 2014, Joshua Rozenberg takes a look at a report by the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee of the House of Commons. This is a lengthy report of 423 pages - A New Magna Carta? Second Report of...
- Dissolution: A Constitutional Wash Up?
In English history Parliaments were sometimes given names such as the Long Parliament and the Rump Parliament. I wonder what people might call the present Parliament? Maybe, the Expenses Parliament? It was first summoned...