Tag: indyref
Lessons from Quebec on avoiding another Scottish referendum
Parallels have been drawn between the independence movements of Quebec and Scotland, with the former twice rejecting the option to become an independent state in referendums on the issue. Scotland did likewise this year, opting to remain a part of the UK. Frédéric Bastien that Quebec has lessons to teach the UK on avoiding a “neverendum” on […]
The best of Democratic Audit’s 2014 coverage of local, regional, and sub-national government
This year, the Scottish independence set in motion a chain of events which may, or may not, lead to greater powers at the sub-national level for the English regions, and city areas. Here are some of the best articles that Democratic Audit has carried in 2014 which deal with local, regional, and sub-national government. Similar PostsEvolution or […]
If implemented in full, the Smith Commission report will provide Scotland with a welcome range of new powers
The Smith Commission which looked at future options for the governance of Scotland in the post referendum landscape. Norman Bonney assesses the document, looking at its proposals on local governance, Air Passenger Duty, the continuing UK framework, and the new respective roles of the Scottish Parliament and Government, concluding that the range of powers offered are […]
The vow delivered? Experts respond to the publication of the Smith Commission’s recommendations
The Smith Commission, the body tasked with recommending reforms to the governance of Scotland recently released its final report. Democratic Audit asked Scottish constitutional and political experts John Curtice, Katie Boyle and Stephen Tierney, and Sionaidh Douglas-Scott to respond. (Part 1 can be found here). Similar PostsTo appreciate the importance of the Brexit referendum, we must […]
An English Parliament terrifies the British political and academic elite far more than the thought of Scottish separatism did
The Scottish independence referendum opened up a number of debates around both the future constitutional status of Scotland, but also of England, with improved and empowered local government, reforming the House of Commons, and regional devolution all being mentioned as potential routes forward. Here, Colin Copus argues that all of these fall short of what […]
Britain is facing a crisis of democracy but the main parties cannot respond
Who is at fault for Britain’s democratic crisis? While political parties seek to be the solution to this malaise, they are in actual fact the major driver of the problem, argues Adam Lent. Unfortunately, politicians are disincentived to adopt the kind of relationship with voters that would address their dissatisfaction, meaning that the problem is a […]
There are large gaps between the parties in their aspirations for what comes next for Scotland
Just three weeks ago the people of Scotland voted to stay in the UK. This week, as Akash Paun explains, the debate on the next phase of devolution began in earnest as Scotland’s five main political parties (the four you would guess plus the Scottish Greens) submitted their proposals to Lord Smith of Kelvin – the one-man commission charged with […]
The UK should take on board the lessons from Spain before embracing English devolution
The UK government has committed itself to solving the so called ‘West Lothian question’ whereby Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs can vote on ‘English only’ issues which have already been devolved to the other three countries. Sonia Alonso writes on devolution in Spain, arguing that the UK should learn from the Spanish experience. She states that […]
The independence referendum gave plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Scotland’s democratic future
The Scottish independence referendum was the first wide-scale election in the UK to allow 16 and 17 year olds the vote, with turnout consistent with other groups. One of those first-time voters in the youngest age bracket, Duncan McEwan, thinks that the referendum gives reasons to be optimistic about Scotland’s democratic future, with the younger, largely pro-independence generation […]
How to design a constitutional convention for the UK
The referendum on Scottish independence has sparked a flurry of speculation as to what reforms to the UK constitution would be most welcome and realistic. One suggestion that has been repeatedly mooted is a constitutional convention of the kind held by Canada, Iceland, and Scotland previously. Alan Renwick argues that any model applied to the UK […]
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