Tag: Future of the Union

The illusionary norm of political stability: the unruly democratic politics of the United Kingdom

The illusionary norm of political stability: the unruly democratic politics of the United Kingdom

Democratic politics in the UK is currently rife with conflict because this multi-national state encourages it, writes Helen Thompson (University of Cambridge). Maintaining political stability has historically required prudence and pragmatic restraint. Minority governments and more frequent elections have occurred when the UK’s economic and political relationships with the rest of the world are disputed, and […]

In order to sustain itself, the UK must become a new and different Union

In order to sustain itself, the UK must become a new and different Union

Jim Gallagher reflects on what the Scotland Bill tells us about the Scotland-UK relationship and devolution more broadly. He argues that the Bill presents a challenge to the unwritten constitution, and that now is the time to clarify and codify the territorial aspects to make a statement about how and why the Union hangs together.  […]

A new constitutional settlement for the UK would be the most fitting Magna Carta celebration

A new constitutional settlement for the UK would be the most fitting Magna Carta celebration

 On the day of the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, Andrew Blick argues that, in the realm of constitutional matters, we need to look forward as much as backward. Similar PostsAn independent Scotland may find it impossible to pursue a more liberal immigration policyUnfinished devolution has created constitutional imbalances in the UKTo appreciate the […]

The Smith Commission, federalism, or independence: Can the Union survive the election?

The Smith Commission, federalism, or independence: Can the Union survive the election?

Not only could federalism work for Britain, it may be the only constitutional system which can now hold the country together. The real obstacle is that such a solution does not appear to be in the political interests of either of the two solitudes which ‘won’ the election, writes Stephen Tierney. Similar PostsThe Scottish Government’s […]

The First-Past-the-Post electoral system is breaking up the UK

The First-Past-the-Post electoral system is breaking up the UK

The First Past The Post electoral system exacerbates divisions between the different parts of Britain, adding to pressures that could break the union, with Thursday’s General Election potentially hastening this process. Tim Oliver discusses whether it is too late to change course. Similar PostsEuropean elections 2019: what will happen in Scotland?Nationalist parties face new challenges after the ‘Super […]

Scotland’s draft interim constitution: limiting or liberating?

Scotland’s draft interim constitution: limiting or liberating?

In part two of our piece in which experts give their views on the Scottish Government’s draft interim constitution, we hear from Katie Boyle of the University of Limerick, Stirling University’s Ben Saunders, and Glasgow University’s Thomas Lundberg. They weigh up whether the document is up to the task of taking Scotland through the difficult transition to independence […]

The England football team represents our multi-cultural, progressive politics of nationhood. Its anthem doesn’t

The England football team represents our multi-cultural, progressive politics of nationhood. Its anthem doesn’t

England football manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that his players must sing the national anthem at the forthcoming World Cup. We asked democracy experts for their views in response. In a series of posts on this topic, we hear how this debate raises much wider issues about belonging in a multi-cultural society, the history of English […]

If England players must sing the national anthem at the football World Cup, it should not be ‘God Save the Queen’

If England players must sing the national anthem at the football World Cup, it should not be ‘God Save the Queen’

With the football World Cup approaching, England manager Roy Hodgson is insisting that his players sing the national anthem before each game. We asked a number of democracy experts to share their views on Hodgson’s rule. In the first of a  series of posts on this issue, we find a broad consensus that while singing the […]

The dilemmas of the Scottish independence referendum for a unionist and secularist democrat

The dilemmas of the Scottish independence referendum for a unionist and secularist democrat

Strong secularist and unionist Norman Bonney explains how he is tempted to vote ‘yes’ for an independent Scotland to liberate himself from a system that allows Church of England bishops in the House of Lords to contribute to the making of laws not only for England but also for Scotland and the rest of the […]

Symbols of shared Britishness are less important in sustaining the union than economic and political factors

Symbols of shared Britishness are less important in sustaining the union than economic and political factors

The Referendum on Scottish Independence in September 2014 provides a valuable context for studying territorial identities in the UK. In the United Kingdom, comparing the diversity of ‘national’ experiences helps us to understand the salience of national symbols. David McCrone and Frank Bechhofer show that although these symbols are important, they will bear less on […]