Monthly Archives: April 2011
Nick Barber: A Good Word For the Bill of Rights Commission
Liora’s powerful critique of the composition of the Bill of Rights Commission has drawn a number of comments. All of them are supportive; indeed, the only hint of dissent is that she may not have gone far enough. I have … Continue reading
Filed under Constitutional reform, Human rights
Anthony Bradley: The Importance Of Voting ‘Yes’ To The Alternative Vote
The unrepresentative nature of the House of Commons that arises from the present electoral system has long been the subject of adverse comment, for reasons that include two factors of constitutional importance: (1) The present system often enables a party … Continue reading
Filed under Constitutional reform, UK Parliament
Grégoire Webber: No to AV
Many poor arguments are advanced in favour of the Alternative Vote. Among the arguments is the promise that politicians will be more attentive to the wishes of their constituents (though we are not told why we should not prefer Burke’s … Continue reading
Filed under Constitutional reform, UK Parliament
Robert Hazell: Five reasons why the AV referendum will be lost
Yes to Fairer Votes launched their formal campaign for the AV referendum on 2 April. Electoral reformers fondly suppose that if only the public were offered a better alternative to first past the post, people would be bound to vote … Continue reading
Filed under Constitutional reform, UK Parliament
Liora Lazarus: The Composition of the UK Bill of Rights Commission
Mark Elliott has provided an excellent analysis of the terms of reference and options open to the recently established UK Bill of Rights Commission. This post will focus primarily on the composition of the panel. Conor Gearty has already blogged … Continue reading
Filed under Constitutional reform, Human rights
Polls Show Majority Against Alternative Vote
The Guardian has published an ICM poll on the Alternative Vote that shows a strong lead for the no campaign, with 44% against and 33% in favour of change. Perhaps even more worrying for the yes campaign, of those intending … Continue reading
Filed under Constitutional reform, UK Parliament
Appointments to the House of Lords
According to the BBC’s James Landale, a cross-party group of peers have cautioned the PM not to make any more appointments to the House of Lords. The caution comes in a report from UCL’s Constitution Unit that says that the … Continue reading
Filed under UK Parliament
Mark Elliott: The UK Bill of Rights Commission
In March, the Ministry of Justice announced the creation of a commission charged with the task of looking into the creation of a Bill of Rights for the United Kingdom. The creation of the commission—and the enactment of the Bill … Continue reading
Filed under Constitutional reform, Human rights, UK government, UK Parliament
Aileen McHarg: Axa General Insurance Ltd. v. The Lord Advocate
The Inner House of the Court of Session has handed down its much-anticipated judgment in Axa General Insurance Ltd. v. The Lord Advocate [2011] CSIH 31. Probably the most important decision on the validity of devolved legislation to date, it … Continue reading
Filed under Devolution, Human rights, Scotland
Robert Hazell: Royal Wedding: congratulations, or commiserations?
While we must all be happy for Prince William and Kate Middleton on their wedding day, we must also be aware of the heavy burdens which will be thrust upon them. Prince William was born into the Royal family and … Continue reading
Filed under Human rights
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Constitutional Law Group
