Elections for the Scottish Parliament take place today. The major parties contesting the election have all published manifestos setting out their policies: they contain numerous proposals to alter the devolution settlement or seek independence, change how parliament operates, improve democratic engagement, and reform standards and operations at the centre of government. In this post, Dave Busfield-Birch explains what changes have been proposed.
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The Senedd election in Wales and the constitution: what do the manifestos say?
Elections for the Welsh Senedd take place on 7 May, using an altered voting system and leading to an expanded membership. The major parties contesting the election have all published manifestos setting out their policies: as in Scotland, there are numerous proposals to alter the devolution settlement, change how the devolved institutions operate and reform standards and operations at the centre of government. Dave Busfield-Birch describes what changes have been proposed.
Continue readingStarmer takes small steps forward as democratic challenges mount
Monitor 92, published today, provides an analysis of constitutional events over the last four months. In this post, which replicates the issue’s lead article, Alan Renwick and Meg Russell argue that the government continues to make small strides in areas such as constitutional standards and electoral reform, where instead bold action to renew the health of democracy is badly needed.
Continue readingThe Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and filibustering in the House of Lords
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – commonly known as the assisted dying bill – is now very unlikely to pass in this session. Its supporters have accused opponents of filibustering – a charge which they strongly deny. Lisa James looks at how delay tactics work in the House of Lords, where they have been used in the past, and what peers could do to stop individuals using procedure to block bills rather than allowing them to stand or fall on their merits.
Continue readingMandelson’s peerage: how to strip peers of their titles
The government has publicly committed to removing Lord (Peter) Mandelson’s peerage following additional revelations about his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Robert Hazell considers potential mechanisms for achieving this, and argues that if it is to be done by legislation, then the government should consider carefully how wide its scope should be, what criteria should trigger the removal process, and whether its provisions should be retrospective.
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