Ewan Smith and Alison Young: “That’s how it worked in 2014, and how it would have to work again”
On the 9th of March, writing for the BBC, Laura Kuenssberg, the political editor of the BBC said “it’s up to the Westminster government to permit another [Scottish] referendum.” Six … Continue reading
Stephen Tierney: A Second Independence Referendum in Scotland: The Legal Issues
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today announced the Scottish Government’s intention to hold a second referendum on independence between the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 2019. The move … Continue reading
Graeme Cowie: Scotland and a Second Independence Referendum – The Obstacles and Challenges and the Comparative Solutions
In light of the divergent conclusions the Scottish electorate reached from those of England and Wales in the EU referendum, the spectre of a second Scottish independence referendum looms. Though … Continue reading
Leah Trueblood: Referendums, Compromise, and Ratification
Resolving any political question requires compromise. This is as true for constitutional questions as it is for questions of policy. This can be seen now in the European Union’s reminders … Continue reading
Roger Masterman and Colin Murray: A House of Cards?
The ability of the constitution of the United Kingdom to respond to the ebb and flow of political and societal change has long been presented as a strength, and as … Continue reading
Graeme Cowie: Prisoners to Devolved Fortune? The Right to Vote and the Scotland Act 2016
The Hirst (No 2) v United Kingdom judgment has proven to be one of the most contentious of decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. Its subject matter, prisoner … Continue reading
Nick barber: The Brexiteers: Right Answer, Wrong Question
Cross-posted from I-CONnect blog. Towards the end of the 1990s I was invited to a workshop just outside of Berlin at which a group of young academics gathered to discuss … Continue reading
Manifesto Watch: Aileen McHarg: The Constitutional Implications of the Rise of the SNP
Editors’ note: The blog has asked constitutional lawyers to review the main party manifestos ahead of the May elections, drawing out key constitutional proposals. You can read the other contributions … Continue reading
Mark Elliott: A “Permanent” Scottish Parliament and the Sovereignty of the UK Parliament: Four Perspectives
The Report of the Smith Commission for Further Devolution of Powers to the Scottish Parliament has been published. It contains an array of significant proposals concerning the devolution of further authority to … Continue reading
Stephen Tierney: Is a Federal Britain Now Inevitable?
The Smith Commission Report issued today promises a restructuring of the United Kingdom which may prove to be more significant than the devolution settlement of 1997-98 itself; the acquisition of … Continue reading
