Tag: England
It will not be easy, but the creation of an English Parliament gives the Union the best chance of a long-term settlement
The publication of the Smith Commission, and David Cameron’s proposals for English votes for English laws (EVEL) has put the spotlight back on the future of English governance. James Dennison argues that there is a simple solution to the constitutional chaos in the UK: an English parliament. Similar PostsAudit 2017: How democratic is local government […]
Any reform to the arrangements for governing England must take account of the country’s diversity of views
Labour MP Emily Thornberry’s controversial tweet has once again fuelled debates about English identity and constitutional reform. Felicity Matthews looks at Prime Minister David Cameron’s defence of his ‘English votes for English laws’ proposal. She argues that the diversity of views within England should be taken into account, or the union may be vulnerable to […]
There is a strong case for the introduction of an elected tier of English regional government
Should there be an English Parliament? Or should the English regions – closer in size to the other constituent parts of the United Kingdom – instead enjoy self-government over elements of government economic and social policy? Vittorio Trevitt argues that such a development would be good for democracy and good for England. Similar PostsWho’s going […]
After Scotland’s ‘No’ vote, what next for the UK constitution?
The UK constitution does not currently conform to any particular, identifiable model. Nor would it do were the constitutional reforms currently being proposed by the Government and various other parties come to pass. For example it would not be characterisable either as a federal system or as a unitary state. Rather, the constitution would remain messy and […]
Cameron and Miliband are both right on the constitution – But for the wrong reasons
As the constitutional fallout from the Scottish Independence Referendum campaign continues, Stephen Barber looks at how the two main party leaders down south are addressing ‘the English Question’. Cameron and Miliband may be acting from short term partisan motivations, but this doesn’t mean they’re wrong. While any plausible constitutional settlement is complex, it must be based on […]
When it comes to a fair constitutional settlement, beware of constitutional hyper-activism
The Flower of Scotland may well be blooming but a number of thorny issues face the Prime Minister and the leaders of the main parties in the UK, writes Matthew Flinders. The Prime Minister’s commitment to a ‘new and fair constitutional settlement’ not just for Scotland but for the whole of the United Kingdom may well reflect […]
Whither the Union? Scotland’s voice prompts more questions than answers
After Scotland’s big decision, thoughts have moved to the future and implications that are far-reaching for the whole of the Union. Carl Cullinane rounds up the reaction and tries to pick apart what it all means for UK democracy. Similar PostsA more systematic approach to relations between the devolved administrations and the UK government is requiredUnfinished devolution […]
Scotland’s independence referendum is spurring the desire for political devolution in England
Arianna Giovannini and Joanie Willett explore the uneven path of English regionalism, focusing on two cases: the North East and Cornwall, during and after the New Labour government. Scotland’s referendum has reminded people that there are alternatives, and that regional devolution is a possible solution to a London-centric problem. England’s regional identities and inequalities are only going to become […]
Why does the England football manager insist his players sing the national anthem at the World Cup?
Democratic Audit this week featured responses from democracy experts to the news that the England football manager Roy Hodgson will force players to sing the national anthem at the forthcoming World Cup. In this post, Gabriella Elgenius reflects on the history and meanings of national anthems and the particular controversies surrounding God Save the Queen. […]
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 […]
Democratic Audit's core funding is provided by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Additional funding is provided by the London School of Economics.