Tag: constitution

Brexit, Politics & Governance

How long an extension to Article 50 does the UK need?

Despite last-minute additions, Theresa May’s Brexit deal has again been heavily defeated in the Commons. Hence, MPs will need to consider an extension of Article 50. Meg Russell and Alan Renwick argue that for any practical purposes – including renegotiating a deal, or holding a referendum or citizens’ assembly to break the Brexit impasse – the extension previously proposed by the Prime Minister is too … Continue reading How long an extension to Article 50 does the UK need?

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Brexit, Law & Constitutions

A second Brexit referendum: The problem of constitutional agency

In this first post in a series of 4 for the Political Quarterly, Albert Weale explores the reasoning behind the belief that running a second referendum would not be democratic. As a core British constitutional principle relies on the fact that Parliament cannot bind its successors, he invites us to consider Brexit as a changing process rather than a one-off binding event.    There might … Continue reading A second Brexit referendum: The problem of constitutional agency

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Brexit, Law & Constitutions

Beyond Brexit: Towards a British Constitution

Brexit is a major constitutional change. It creates considerable constitutional uncertainty, but also opportunity. It could prove Britain’s constitutional moment. Vernon Bogdanor argues that just as joining the EU fundamentally altered the UK constitution, so Brexit could, by exposing the very nakedness of Britain’s uncodified arrangements, prove a catalyst for a written constitution. This blog draws from a lecture at UCL co-organised by the European Institute and the … Continue reading Beyond Brexit: Towards a British Constitution

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Law & Constitutions

On the Proposal for a UK Constitutional Court

Of all the rushed ideas for major constitutional reform that could be adopted by the current Government, the one for a UK Constitutional Court (UKCC) as a solution to the perceived EU problem is by far the worst, argues Jeff King, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Laws at University College London.  The President of the Supreme Court Lord Neuberger told The Times last week … Continue reading On the Proposal for a UK Constitutional Court

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Brexit, Politics & Governance

Scotland and Brexit: A path to independence or crisis?

The likely impact of Brexit on the relationship between Scotland and the rest of the UK has made all the headlines but, says Kirsty Hughes, that is just the most obvious of the constitutional difficulties posed by a vote to leave. The EU referendum could be held as early as June – if the vote is for Brexit, a UK-wide political crisis is likely. Recent … Continue reading Scotland and Brexit: A path to independence or crisis?

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