Naked self interest over Lords reform
Great article on the mindset of Labour backbenchers and the importance they attach to reform of the upper house
read more...»Oh lord. Will we ever see an elected upper house?
Another plan for Lords reform has been published. But yet again there appears to be little political will behind the idea
read more...»hard-working world of a Westminster success story
Lord Norton of Louth - - writing in the Yorkshire Post—offers this stout defence of a rejuvenated House of Lords
“There are some very able, and some very eminent, people working away quietly in order to improve the quality of legislation and of public policy. Some may not be that well known outside the House, but what they do inside is significant – and worth commemorating.”
The rest of the article can be found here
Constitutional reform revision: freedom of information
MPs and your right to know
read more...»Devolution revision: differences in Scotland and Wales
How has devolution been delivered in these two parts of the Celtic fringe?
read more...»Devolution revision: West Lothian Question
5 reasons why I think that this is a problem that has been overstated
read more...»Devolution revision: the West Lothian Question
Here we consider why the West Lothian Question can be considered a problem. Later this week I will propose that it is perhaps an issue that has been overblown
read more...»Electoral systems revision: outcome of London 2008
This entry on the results of the London elections adds to previous postings examining the workings of the Supplementary Vote and Additional Member System
read more...»Electoral systems revision: AMS in action
That the London Assembly is elected using the Additional Member System is little known or much misunderstood
read more...»Electoral systems revision: Supplementary Vote in operation
There is a strong possibility that in today’s London Mayor race second preference votes may well determine who gets to control City Hall for the next 4 years
read more...»House of Straw
The front page of the Guardian today reports that the government is backing the introduction of a number of reforms to how we elect MPs. Principal among them is the idea that the current first past the post voting system will be replaced with the alternative vote
read more...»Should we have a fully written constitution?
The Independent yesterday ran an article and a leader on the issue of written constitutions following remarks from Justice secretary Jack Straw The main Independent article can be found here and the leader is here.
‘Bits and pieces of what comprise other countries’ national constitutions are scattered about in a host of different parliamentary Acts and legal judgments. There is no reason why they should not be assembled and condensed into a simple statement of rights, responsibilities and structures. A constitution can be seen as an integral part of being a modern state.’
